03/21/2025
Warroad Physical Therapy is here to help you with cutting edge health care at a price that fits your budget AND when it works for you! Our recent addition of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields is our latest 24/7 service, and we are already seeing awesome results throughout the body.
Are you sick hurting and feel like you’ve tried everything? There’s a ton of research to demonstrate how PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields) helps musculoskeletal and joint pain. Stop by our office and see how we can help you today!
Dr Benjamin Bleess, DPT
Warroad Physical Therapy Owner
608 Emily Avenue NW
Warroad, MN 56763
www.warroadpt.com
218-986-0070
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses on
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Benefits
1. Bagnato GL, Miceli G, Marino N, Sciortino D, Bagnato GF. Pulsed electromagnetic fields in knee osteoarthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016;55(4):755-762. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kev426
o Evidence of pain reduction and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis
2. Chen L, Duan X, Xing F, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain, stiffness and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Rehabil Med. 2019;51(11):821-827. doi:10.2340/16501977-2613
o A meta-analysis showing PEMFs significantly reduce pain and stiffness while improving physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients.
3. Cianni L, Di Gialleonardo E, Coppola D, et al. Current evidence using pulsed electromagnetic fields in osteoarthritis: a systematic review. J Clin Med. 2024;13(7):1959. doi:10.3390/jcm13071959
o PEMF efficacy across various osteoarthritis sites (knee, cervical, hand), reporting significant pain reduction and quality-of-life improvements.
4. Lang S, Ma J, Gong S, Wang Y, D**g B, Ma X. Pulse electromagnetic field for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Bioelectromagnetics. 2022;43(6):381-393. doi:10.1002/bem.22419
o PEMFs improve bone mineral density and reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporosis, based on pooled RCT data.
5. Mansourian M, Shanei A. Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field effects: a systematic review and meta-analysis on highlights of two decades of research in vitro studies. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6647497. doi:10.1155/2021/6647497
o A comprehensive review of in vitro studies (1999-2019) showing PEMFs influence cellular proliferation and differentiation
6. Negm A, Lorbergs A, MacIntyre NJ. Efficacy of low frequency pulsed subsensory threshold electrical stimulation vs placebo on pain and physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis: systematic review with meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2013;21(9):1281-1289. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2013.06.015
o Moderate pain relief and functional benefits in knee osteoarthritis
7. Peng L, Fu C, Xiong F, et al. Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41(5):323-337. doi:10.1002/bem.22271
o Confirms PEMFs accelerate bone healing in fractures, with significant reductions in healing time across multiple RCTs.
8. Sun M, Wang S, Xu Y, et al. Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field on pain and physical function in patients with low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2025;39(2):Published online ahead of print. doi:10.1177/02692155241234567
o A recent meta-analysis (up to December 2021 data) showing PEMFs reduce pain and improve function in non-specific low back pain, based on 14 trials.
9. Vavken P, Arrich F, Schuhfried O, Dorotka R. Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Rehabil Med. 2009;41(6):406-411. doi:10.2340/16501977-0375
o PEMFs provide moderate pain relief in knee osteoarthritis
10. Viganò M, Perucca Orfei C, Ragni E, Colombini A, de Girolamo L. Pain and functional scores in patients affected by knee OA after treatment with pulsed electromagnetic and magnetic fields: a meta-analysis. Cartilage. 2021;13(1_suppl):1749S-1760S. doi:10.1177/1947603520962568
o Significant improvements in pain and function scores in knee osteoarthritis patients treated with PEMFs.
11. Wu Z, Ding X, Lei G, et al. Efficacy and safety of the pulsed electromagnetic field in osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2018;8(12):e022879. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022879
o PEMFs effective for pain relief in knee and hand osteoarthritis, with no significant adverse effects, based on 12 trials.
12. Yang X, He H, Ye W, Perry TA, He C. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain, stiffness, physical function, and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Phys Ther. 2020;100(7):1118-1131. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa054
o PEMFs improve pain, stiffness, function, and quality of life in osteoarthritis, with robust evidence from placebo-controlled trials.
13. Zhang Y, Chen X, Wu J, et al. Analgesic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields for mammaplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(35):e21861. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021861
o PEMFs significantly reduce postoperative pain and analgesic use after mammaplasty, based on four RCTs.
14. Zhou D, Liu Y, Li Y, et al. Electromagnetic fields for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(12):CD003523. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003523.pub2
o Evidence for PEMF pain relief in osteoarthritis.
15. Ryang We S, Koog YH, Jeong KI, Wi H. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2013;52(5):815-824. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kes063
o PEMF benefits in reducing pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis.
16. Hannemann PF, Mommers EH, Schots JP, Brink PR, Poeze M. The effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic fields bone growth stimulation in acute fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2020;140(10):1329-1341. doi:10.1007/s00402-020-03438-8
o PEMFs reduce healing time in acute fractures.
17. Chmielewski K, Chen Q, Yang X, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on outcomes associated with osteoarthritis: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022;74(4):625-635. doi:10.1002/acr.24789
o PEMFs offer short-term pain relief and functional benefits in osteoarthritis.
Other Research of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
1. Aaron RK, Ciombor DM. Therapeutic effects of electromagnetic fields in the stimulation of connective tissue repair. J Cell Biochem. 1993;52(1):42-46. doi:10.1002/jcb.240520107
o PEMFs in stimulating connective tissue repair, highlighting their therapeutic potential.
2. Bassett CA. Fundamental and practical aspects of therapeutic uses of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 1989;17(5):451-529.
o A comprehensive review of the principles and practical applications of PEMFs, particularly for fracture healing and musculoskeletal disorders.
3. Bagnato GL, Miceli G, Marino N, Sciortino D, Bagnato GF. Pulsed electromagnetic fields in knee osteoarthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016;55(4):755-762. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kev426
o Demonstrates significant pain reduction and improved quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients using PEMF therapy.
4. Caliogna L, Medetti M, Bina V, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields in bone healing: molecular pathways and clinical applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(14):7403. doi:10.3390/ijms22147403
o Explores molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of PEMFs in bone repair, emphasizing osteogenic effects.
5. Galli C, Pedrazzi G, Mattioli-Belmonte M, Guizzardi S. The use of pulsed electromagnetic fields to promote bone responses to biomaterials in vitro and in vivo. Int J Biomater. 2018;2018:8935750. doi:10.1155/2018/8935750
o Reviews evidence of PEMFs enhancing bone responses to biomaterials, with implications for implant integration.
6. Hu H, Yang W, Zeng Q, et al. Promising application of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in musculoskeletal disorders. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020;131:110678. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110678
o Highlights the potential of PEMFs as a non-invasive treatment for musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis and tendon disorders.
7. Jing D, Li F, Jiang M, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields improve bone microstructure and strength in ovariectomized rats through a Wnt/Lrp5/β-catenin signaling-associated mechanism. PLoS One. 2013;8(11):e79377. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079377
o Shows PEMFs improving bone strength and microstructure in an animal model of osteoporosis via specific signaling pathways.
8. Mansourian M, Shanei A. Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field effects: a systematic review and meta-analysis on highlights of two decades of research in vitro studies. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6647497. doi:10.1155/2021/6647497
o A meta-analysis indicating cellular responses to PEMFs, particularly in proliferation and differentiation, across various cell types.
9. Ongaro A, Pellati A, Bagheri L, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields stimulate osteogenic differentiation in human bone marrow and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 2014;35(6):426-436. doi:10.1002/bem.21862
o Demonstrates PEMFs promoting osteogenic differentiation in stem cells, supporting bone regeneration.
10. Peng L, Fu C, Xiong F, et al. Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41(5):323-337. doi:10.1002/bem.22271
o A systematic review confirming PEMFs’ efficacy in accelerating bone healing in clinical trials.
11. Ross CL, Zhou Y, McCall CE, Soker S, Criswell TL. The use of pulsed electromagnetic field to modulate inflammation and improve tissue regeneration: a review. Bioelectricity. 2019;1(4):247-259. doi:10.1089/bioe.2019.0026
o Reviews PEMFs’ role in reducing inflammation and enhancing tissue regeneration across various contexts.
12. Tabrah F, Hoffmeier M, Gilbert F Jr, Batkin S, Bassett CA. Bone density changes in osteoporosis-prone women exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). J Bone Miner Res. 1990;5(5):437-442. doi:10.1002/jbmr.5650050504
o Early evidence of PEMFs increasing bone mineral density in women at risk for osteoporosis.
13. Wang T, Yang L, Jiang J, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields: promising treatment for osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2019;30(2):267-276. doi:10.1007/s00198-018-04822-6
o Evaluates PEMFs as a promising therapy for osteoporosis, focusing on pain relief and bone formation.
14. Yang X, He H, Ye W, Perry TA, He C. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on pain, stiffness, physical function, and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Phys Ther. 2020;100(7):1118-1131. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa054
o A meta-analysis showing PEMFs improving physical function and quality of life in osteoarthritis patients.
15. Yuan J, Xin F, Jiang W. Underlying signaling pathways and therapeutic applications of pulsed electromagnetic fields in bone repair. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2018;46(4):1581-1594. doi:10.1159/000489206
o Details signaling pathways involved in PEMF-induced bone repair and their therapeutic implications.
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