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

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) for osteoarthritis?

Research shows that electromagnetic field therapy, which is similar to EMTT, may help reduce pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis by promoting the growth and repair of bone and cartilage. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is electromagnetic therapy safe for humans?

Research indicates that electromagnetic therapy, including pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, is generally considered safe and non-invasive for treating conditions like osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

How is Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) different from other treatments for osteoarthritis?

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) is unique because it uses electromagnetic fields to potentially promote the growth and repair of bone and cartilage, which is different from traditional treatments that may focus on pain relief or inflammation reduction. This therapy is based on principles of physics, such as Wolff's law and the piezoelectric effect, which are not typically utilized in standard osteoarthritis treatments. ^{2 7 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine if Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) is a viable treatment option in patients with osteoarthritis of the foot and/or ankle.

Research Team

Elizabeth Bondi

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 (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]

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]

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]

References

1. Sweden 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. [2020]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electromagnetic fields for treating osteoarthritis. [2022]

3. United States 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. [2022]

4. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review]. [2018]

5. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetotherapy in hand osteoarthritis: a pilot trial. [2015]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Efficacy of Electromagnetic Diathermy for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. [2023]

7. Russia (Federation) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Microwave resonance therapy in primary osteoarthrosis: the pathogenetic validation of its clinical use]. [2006]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic and electromagnetic field therapy. [2019]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of the pulsed electromagnetic field in osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis. [2020]

10. Russia (Federation) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Comparative evaluation of effectiveness of different magnetotherapy regimens in patients with osteoarthritis]. [2020]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise program combined with electrophysical modalities in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. [2021]