Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Treatment as a Non- Pharmacological, Non-Invasive Treatment for Chronic Back Pain: Promising Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial and Review of Literature

Objective : Comparison of Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy via Quantron Resonance System (QRS),QRS® 101 to oral pain medications in Chronic Back Pain (CBP).Methods: CBP patients were randomly divided into two groups, Group P (n=30): 15 sessions of 30 minutes ofPEMF (40 mT) over 3 weeks with oral pain medications; Group M (n=30): sham PEMF of similar duration withoral pain medications.The primary outcome was comparison of Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes were comparisonof Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS), Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Wong-Baker Faces PainRating Scale- (WBFS), Pain Location Score (PLS); noted at baseline, at completion of 5,10 and 15 sessions andfollow up at 1,2, 3 weeks, then monthly for 3 months.ResultsPain NRS, PQAS, Modified ODI, WBFS were significantly less in the PEMF group (p < 0.05) at all time frames. PLSwas statistically significant lesser in the PEMF group at all time frames after ten sessions (p < 0.05).Conclusion15 sessions of 30 minutes per day of PEMF (40 mT) QRS® 101 treatment in three weeks may significantly alleviateCBP compared to oral medications.