Efficacy of Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) in Patients With Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint in society. It is the most common musculoskeletal problem after low back pain. It may regress spontaneously within a few weeks or may become chronic, as in 30% of patients. When it becomes chronic, it can negatively affect the daily life activities of individuals and lead to functional limitations and inadequacies.

Various approaches exist for neck pain in clinical practice. Among them; education of patients on neck pain, ergonomic arrangements, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, exercise, physical therapy agents such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), superficial and deep heaters, Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMT) , manipulation, mobilization methods, nerve blockages and surgical intervention.

Magnetotherapy is a treatment method based on magnetic field interaction. As a result of pulsed or alternating electromagnetic fields, an electrical current occurs in the tissues. Pulse magnetotherapy has three physical mechanisms known to be effective in living tissue: Magnetic induction, magneto-mechanical effects, and electronic interactions. Effects of magnetic field application are vasodilation, analgesic effect, anti-inflammatory effect, acceleration of healing, antiedematous effect. Magnetotherapy increases the oxygen release of erythrocytes and provides oxygenation of the tissues. This causes a decrease in toxins in the damaged area, an increase in vital nutrients and endorphins. With this physiological change, magnetic energy decreases the pain receptor sensitivity that sends a message to the brain. With this treatment method, pain reduction is achieved, while joint mobility increases. This investigation was designed prospective sham controlled randomized study. Participants were randomized into 3 groups: PEMT + therapeutic exercise, sham PEMT + therapeutic exercise, and only therapeutic exercise. As evaluation parameters, cervical range of motion, Visual Pain Scale (VAS) Neck, Visual Pain Scale (VAS) Neck, SF (Short form) -36 Quality of Life Scale, pressure pain threshold measurement with an algometer, patient global assessment, and physician global assessment will be evaluated with.It was planned that the evaluations were made and recorded by a blinded physician to the groups at the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment and at the 6th week controls.