Electromagnetic Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Overseen By Jenny D Obst

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Must not be taking: Steroids, others

Disqualifiers: Pacemaker, Active cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) can help individuals with osteoarthritis in the foot or ankle. Researchers aim to determine if this therapy can ease pain and improve mobility for those with osteoarthritis confirmed by X-rays. The trial is suitable for individuals with osteoarthritis in these areas who have not recently undergone surgery or received specific injections. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research and potentially find relief from osteoarthritis symptoms.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have had steroid, platelet rich plasma, or hyaluronic acid injections in the last 2 months, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this therapy is safe for osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) could be beneficial for treating osteoarthritis. Similar treatments, such as Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, have demonstrated positive outcomes. For instance, one study found that PEMF therapy reduced knee pain in people with osteoarthritis and was generally well-tolerated. This suggests that EMTT might also be safe for treating osteoarthritis in other areas, such as the foot and ankle.

Although specific safety data for EMTT in these areas is lacking, similar treatments using electromagnetic fields have shown few side effects. These findings offer some reassurance about the safety of EMTT for osteoarthritis, but more specific data would be helpful to confirm this. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) is unique because it uses electromagnetic fields to target and relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis. Unlike standard treatments, like NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections, which primarily focus on reducing inflammation, EMTT directly stimulates cellular repair and regeneration. Researchers are excited about EMTT because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative that has the potential to provide pain relief and improve joint function without the side effects associated with traditional medications.

What evidence suggests that Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) might be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) might be a helpful treatment for osteoarthritis. This trial will specifically investigate EMTT for mid-foot osteoarthritis. Studies using pulsed electromagnetic fields, similar to EMTT, have shown good results, particularly in reducing pain and improving knee function in people with osteoarthritis. For example, patients who received this therapy reported significant improvement. One study found that after six weeks of therapy, many patients experienced a noticeable decrease in pain. This suggests that EMTT might also help reduce symptoms for those with osteoarthritis in the foot and ankle. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Elizabeth Bondi

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with osteoarthritis in the foot or ankle. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so it's best to contact the study organizers for detailed requirements on who can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my foot or ankle through X-rays.

Exclusion Criteria

History of pacemaker

I have a history of cancer.

I have a current foot or ankle condition or injury.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) for osteoarthritis in the foot and/or ankle

3 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

Visits at 3 months and 6 months (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT)

Trial Overview The trial is testing Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) to see if it helps people with osteoarthritis of the foot and/or ankle. It aims to assess EMTT's effectiveness as a treatment option.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mid-foot osteoarthritis Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Magnetotherapy is a non-invasive and safe treatment method that can effectively target injuries, pain, and inflammation, making it a promising option for therapeutic applications.

The review highlights the physiological mechanisms behind tissue repair and suggests that magnetic field stimulation may offer advantages over traditional electric current stimulation in promoting healing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic and electromagnetic field therapy. Markov, MS., Colbert, AP.[2019]

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy significantly reduces pain in knee osteoarthritis patients, with a notable effect size observed in placebo-controlled trials involving 914 patients across 13 studies.

While this therapy shows promise for pain relief, it does not demonstrate superior efficacy compared to other conservative treatments like physiotherapy, particularly when longer follow-up periods are considered.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pain and Functional Scores in Patients Affected by Knee OA after Treatment with Pulsed Electromagnetic and Magnetic Fields: A Meta-Analysis. Viganò, M., Perucca Orfei, C., Ragni, E., et al.[2022]

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy showed minimal clinical benefit for relieving pain, reducing morning stiffness, and improving knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, based on a systematic review of five randomized controlled trials involving 331 patients.

The study concluded that more high-quality trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this therapy, as the current evidence does not demonstrate significant differences compared to placebo treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review]. Cao, LY., Jiang, MJ., Yang, SP., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 50 patients with hand osteoarthritis, those receiving magnetotherapy combined with exercises showed significant improvements in pain, joint stiffness, and overall quality of life compared to those receiving sham treatment.

The magnetotherapy group demonstrated notable enhancements in various health measures, including pain at rest and motion, social function, and vitality, indicating its efficacy as a treatment option for hand osteoarthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetotherapy in hand osteoarthritis: a pilot trial. Kanat, E., Alp, A., Yurtkuran, M.[2015]

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy significantly improved physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, based on a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials involving 421 patients.

However, this therapy did not show significant benefits in reducing pain or stiffness, indicating that while it may help with mobility, it may not address all symptoms of osteoarthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain, stiffness and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Chen, L., Duan, X., Xing, F., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 100 participants with knee osteoarthritis, adding interferential current therapy (ICT), shortwave diathermy therapy (SDT), or photobiomodulation (PHOTO) to an exercise program did not provide significant clinical benefits compared to exercise alone.

While all groups showed improvement in pain and function over time, the differences between the exercise group and those receiving additional therapies were not clinically relevant, suggesting that exercise alone may be sufficient for managing knee OA.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise program combined with electrophysical modalities in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. de Paula Gomes, CAF., Politti, F., de Souza Bacelar Pereira, C., et al.[2021]

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy significantly alleviates pain and improves function in patients with knee and hand osteoarthritis (OA), as shown in a meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials involving various OA types.

The therapy was found to be safe, with no significant difference in adverse effects compared to sham treatments, and shorter treatment sessions (30 minutes or less) were associated with better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of the pulsed electromagnetic field in osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis. Wu, Z., Ding, X., Lei, G., et al.[2020]

Microwave resonance therapy (MRT) was studied in 114 patients with primary osteoarthrosis, showing clinical benefits linked to its effects on immune reactivity and detoxification processes.

The therapy positively influenced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense, suggesting a multifaceted mechanism of action that may enhance treatment outcomes for osteoarthrosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Microwave resonance therapy in primary osteoarthrosis: the pathogenetic validation of its clinical use]. Bakaliuk, TG., Zoria, LV., Pogorila, MA.[2006]

A clinical trial involving 262 patients with knee osteoarthritis demonstrated that impulse low-frequency magnetotherapy significantly reduces pain and improves function, particularly with a combined treatment approach using different magnetic field modes.

The study confirmed that magnetotherapy is a safe treatment option, with no serious adverse events reported, making it a viable alternative for managing osteoarthritis symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Comparative evaluation of effectiveness of different magnetotherapy regimens in patients with osteoarthritis]. Osnovina, IP., Alekseeva, NV.[2020]

Electromagnetic field therapy has been shown to provide moderate pain relief for osteoarthritis patients, with participants reporting an average improvement of 15.10 points on a pain scale after 4 to 26 weeks of treatment compared to placebo.

The therapy did not significantly improve physical function or quality of life, and safety evaluations indicated no serious adverse events, suggesting it is a safe option for pain management in osteoarthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electromagnetic fields for treating osteoarthritis. Li, S., Yu, B., Zhou, D., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 68 studies on electromagnetic diathermy therapies for musculoskeletal disorders found that most pooled studies did not show significant improvements in pain, function, or quality of life, indicating limited efficacy.

While some individual studies reported positive results for diathermy, the overall quality of evidence was low to very low, suggesting that diathermy should not be widely adopted in clinical practice without stronger supporting evidence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Efficacy of Electromagnetic Diathermy for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Pollet, J., Ranica, G., Pedersini, P., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. trials.arthritis.org trials.arthritis.org/trials/NCT06696118

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy on Osteoarthritis in the ... The purpose of this study is to determine if Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) is a viable treatment option in patients with osteoarthritis of the ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11012419/

Current Evidence Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in ... (3) Results: PEMF therapy demonstrated positive outcomes across various anatomical districts, primarily in knee osteoarthritis. Pain reduction, ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/electromagnetic-therapy-for-osteoarthritis-7b54d

Electromagnetic Therapy for Osteoarthritis The purpose of this study is to determine if Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) is a viable treatment option in patients with osteoarthritis of the ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332219320086

Review Effects of electromagnetic fields on osteoarthritis In addition, 6 weeks of PEMF therapy caused a significant improvement in WOMAC score in 75 patients suffering from knee OA [21]. Moreover, treatment with PEMF ...

5. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/12/e022879

Efficacy and safety of the pulsed electromagnetic field in ... PEMF could alleviate pain and improve physical function for patients with knee and hand OA, but not for patients with cervical OA.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6303578/

Efficacy and safety of the pulsed electromagnetic field in ... To investigate the efficacy and safety of the pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy in treating osteoarthritis (OA). Meta-analysis.

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/7/1959

Current Evidence Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in ... (3) Results: PEMF therapy demonstrated positive outcomes across various anatomical districts, primarily in knee osteoarthritis. Pain reduction, ...

8. app.trialscreen.org app.trialscreen.org/trials/electromagnetic-transduction-therapy-on-osteoarthritis-foot-ankle-trial-nct06696118

An interventional study of EMTT in foot/ankle osteoarthritis This Interventional study is looking for people with Osteoarthritis Ankle, Osteoarthritis Foot in Rochester United States to take part.

9. trial.medpath.com trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/34d4e2eb849dd16a/nct06696118-electromagnetic-transduction-therapy-mid-foot-osteoarthritis

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy on Osteoarthritis in the ... The purpose of this study is to determine if Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) is a viable treatment option in patients with osteoarthritis of the ...