Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on experimental pain: A double-blind, randomized study in healthy young adults med./bio.

By: Beaulieu K, Beland P, Pinard M, Handfield G, Handfield N, Goffaux P, Corriveau H, Léonard G

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2016; 35 (3): 237-244

Aim of study (acc. to author)

It should be investigated whether exposure to a pulsed 60 Hz magnetic field has a direct or indirect analgesic effect in volunteers with experimental heat pain.

Background/further details

Previous studies (Binder et al. 1984, Foley-Nolan et al. 1990) have suggested an analgesic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF). However, it is unclear whether these were direct effects or indirect effects of the PEMF on anti-inflammatory or healing processes.
24 healthy subjects (9 males) participated in 2 sessions with sham exposure and PEMF exposure, respectively, with approximately an 1-week interval in between.

Endpoint

nociception

Exposure

- 60 Hz
- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- signals/pulses
- therapeutic/medical device

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 10 minutes	magnetic flux density: 0.9 mT

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	60 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Waveform	pulsed
Exposure duration	continuous for 10 minutes

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Rhumart Self-Health MBI-3000 apparatus and two REBONE-4A applicators
Setup	participants were seated on a wooden chair; exposure was administered on the same forearm as the pain test
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0.9 mT	-	calibration	-	-

Reference articles

Begue-Simon AM et al. (1993): Clinical assessment of the RHUMART system based on the use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields with low frequency
Binder A et al. (1984): Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy of persistent rotator cuff tendinitis. A double-blind controlled assessment

Exposed system:

human
partial body: forearm

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

nociception: tonic heat pain model (heat stimulus on forearm for 2 minutes rising to temperature of individual moderate pain (determined in pretest); pain intensity, pain unpleasantness and temporal summation of pain intensity over 60 seconds before and directly after exposure and after 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

sense organs

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There were no significant differences in pain intensity, pain unpleasantness and temporal summation observed between PEMF and sham exposure.
The authors conclude that exposure to a pulsed 60 Hz magnetic field has presumably no direct analgesic effect. However, an indirect effect could still be possible.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double-blind study, cross-over study

Study funded by

Le Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS), Canada
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada

Ozdemir E et al. (2017): Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on morphine analgesia and tolerance in rats
Kortekaas R et al. (2013): A novel magnetic stimulator increases experimental pain tolerance in healthy volunteers - a double-blind sham-controlled crossover study
Kosar MI et al. (2012): Antinociceptive Effects in Normal and Diabetic Rats Exposed to 50 Hz Magnetic Field
Heden P et al. (2008): Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on postoperative pain: a double-blind randomized pilot study in breast augmentation patients
Fernandez MI et al. (2007): Effect of pulsed magnetic field therapy on pain reported by human volunteers in a laboratory model of acute pain
Thomas AW et al. (2007): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain
Shupak NM et al. (2004): Human exposure to a specific pulsed magnetic field: effects on thermal sensory and pain thresholds
Foley-Nolan D et al. (1990): Pulsed high frequency (27MHz) electromagnetic therapy for persistent neck pain. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 patients
Binder A et al. (1984): Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy of persistent rotator cuff tendinitis. A double-blind controlled assessment