Promising application of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) in musculoskeletal disorders
Hongzhi Hu, Wenbo Yang, Qianwen Zeng, Wei Chen, Yanbin Zhu, Weijian Liu, Shangyu Wang, Baichuan Wang, Zengwu Shao, Yingze Zhang
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that an exogenous electromagnetic field might be involved in many biologic processes which are of great importance for therapeutic interventions. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are known to be a noninvasive, safe and effective therapy agent without apparent side effects. Numerous studies have shown that PEMFs possess the potential to become a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment modality for treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, several issues remain unresolved. Prior to their widely clinical application, further researches from well-designed, high-quality studies are still required to standardize the treatment parameters and derive the optimal protocol for health-care decision making. In this review, we aim to provide current evidence on the mechanism of action, clinical applications, and controversies of PEMFs in musculoskeletal disorders.