Low-energy pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduces pain in fibromyalgia: A randomized single-blind controlled pilot study

Objectives: Fibromyalgia symptoms have a significant impact on the quality of life and respond poorly to medications. It has been hypothesized that the use of low-energy pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) induces neuroprotective effects that may interfere with pain perception. We explored the efficacy of PEMF in patients affected by fibromyalgia. Methods: Twenty-one females (median age 59 years, interquartile range [IQR] 16.5) affected by fibromyalgia were randomized to receive pulsed electromagnetic field-triple energy pain treatment (PEMF-TEPT) or placebo at T0 and at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), widespread pain index (WPI), visual analog score (VAS) pain, symptom severity (SS) scale, and short form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire have been evaluated. Results: Patients in the PEMF-TEPT group had a significantly higher reduction of WPI compared to placebo (mean difference −12.90 ± standard deviation [SD] 5.32 vs. −1.91 ± 4.55, difference in difference [DD] of −10.99; P < 0.001), of SS score (−4.10 ± 4.85 vs. −2.00 ± 2.32; DD = −2.1; P < 0.05), of VAS pain (−48 ± 30.75 vs. −16.82 ± 23.69; DD = −31.18; P < 0.01). They also reported a higher improvement of FIQ and SF-36, albeit not reaching statistical significance. Conclusion: In our pilot controlled study, PEMF-TEPT appeared to be safe and improved fibromyalgia symptoms.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Low-energy pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduces pain in fibromyalgia: A randomized single-blind controlled pilot study ; volume:3 ; number:2 ; year:2022 ; pages:77-83 ; extent:7 ; Rheumatology and immunology research ; 3, Heft 2 (2022), 77-83 (gesamt 7)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Giovale, Massimo ; Novelli, Lucia ; Persico, Luca ; Motta, Francesca ; Rampoldi, Stefano ; Galli, Rossana ; Monteforte, Patrizia ; Doveri, Marica ; Bianchi, Gerolamo ; Selmi, Carlo ; Bottaro, Luigi Carlo

Further information

• DOI: 10.2478/rir-2022-0013
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023030113052781285102
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:00 AM CEST