Chronic postoperative pain is a growing concern in the realm of lumbar spinal surgery, necessitating innovative approaches to alleviate the suffering of affected individuals. A recent study has shed light on a promising solution – pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. In this comprehensive blog, we delve into the details of the study, exploring the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in addressing persistent low-back and radiating leg pain after lumbar surgery.

The Study Unveiled:

The research, a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter study, involved 36 subjects grappling with ongoing pain after lumbar surgery. Divided into three groups, each subjected to different pulse widths (42-μs, 38-μs, and sham treatment), the subjects self-administered therapy twice daily for 60 days. The primary endpoint was the change in pain intensity, measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale.

Results Breakdown:

The outcomes revealed a noteworthy reduction in low-back pain scores for the 42-µs group, demonstrating a 40.2% decrease compared to 18.6% for the 38-µs pulse width group and 25.6% for the sham group. Similarly, average leg pain scores saw a remarkable 45.0% decrease for the 42-µs group, surpassing the 17.0% and 24.5% reductions observed in the 38-µs and sham groups, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

Primary Endpoint Success: The study demonstrated that the 42-µs pulse width of PEMF therapy was significantly associated with a reduction in pain compared to the sham treatment.

Secondary Endpoints Align: Secondary outcome measures, including the Oswestry Disability Index, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Patient Global Impression of Change, and analgesic consumption, consistently supported the overall beneficial effects of the PEMF 42-µs pulse width device.

Responding to Therapy: The proportion of subjects responding to therapy, coupled with improved time to a 30% reduction in pain scores and enhanced Patient Global Impression of Change, showcased the efficacy of the PEMF 42-µs device over the sham control.

The study underscores the potential of PEMF therapy, particularly with a 42-µs pulse width, in alleviating persistent pain following lumbar surgery. While the observed trends for pain reduction are promising, further research is warranted to solidify these findings and explore the broader implications of PEMF therapy in managing failed back surgery syndrome, lumbar surgery, neuropathic pain, and chronic pain associated with nociceptive pathways.

Reference this peer review:

https://www.dovepress.com/evaluation-of-pulsed-electromagnetic-field-therapy-for-the-treatment-o-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPR