Pilot evaluation :

Effects of  non-invasive, low level pulsed DC magnetic fields (EarthPulse™ v.2.3) on chronic intractable pain states.

L. R. S, M.D.

YALE-New Haven Hospital

Connecticut, U.S.A.

 

 

Pilot evaluation : PEMF

¥    OBJECTIVE: To determine if pulsed electromagnetic fields of low amplitude

   and frequency can effect pain  and sleep patterns in patients with chronic intractable pain for greater than 2 years.

¥    PATIENTS/SETTING:

¥    11 patients suffering intractable chronic pain: 6 Neuropathic, 3 Somatic, 2 Mixed

 

¥    Non-placebo controlled preliminary study where low level pulsed electromagnetic fields were applied at home on a nightly basis.

 

Pilot evaluation : PEMF

¥    INTERVENTION: Non invasive pulsed

   electromagnetic field therapy generates a pulsed unidirectional waveform with a

   peak strength of about 90 gauss on the surface of the electromagnet; about .05 gauss through 10 in. mattress.

   (Current version 4.3 generates up to 300 gauss at magnet or about 1 gauss through 10 in. mattress).


 

Pilot evaluation : PEMF

¥    INTERVENTION:

 

¥    PEMF is applied at night through the mattress at about 10 Hz. (no Local Recover-Mode application)

 

Pilot evaluation sleep: PEMF

¥    RESULTS:

Р 11 patients

7 improvements in quality of sleep.

Subjectively assessed by number of hours of sleep, sense of well being, fatigue, energy level.


¥    Neuropathic pain

Р 4 of 6 improved sleep

¥    Somatic

Р 1 of 3 improved sleep

¥    Mixed

Р 2 of 2 improved sleep

 

Pilot evaluation pain: PEMF

¥    RESULTS:

Р 11 patients

7 improvements in pain.

Subjectively assessed by Visual analog pain scales.


¥    Neuropathic pain

Р 4 of 6 reduced pain

¥    Somatic

Р 2 of 3 reduced pain

¥    Mixed

Р 1 of 2 reduced pain

Pilot evaluation : PEMF

¥    RESULTS:

Р 11 patients

8 improvements in either pain or sleep (6 improvements in both pain and sleep)

Subjectively assessed by Visual analog pain scales and quality of sleep.


¥    8 patients-Improvement

Р Average use continuous 2.5 months

¥    3 patients-No improvement

Р Average use 1 week

 

Pilot evaluation : PEMF

¥    Summation

Р Pilot study suggests very powerful effect on both sleep and pain on heterogeneous group of patients with chronic intractable pain for 2 years or more.

Р Further blinded and placebo controlled studies are warranted.