Effectiveness of PEMF in Patients With Chronic Radicular Pain Due to Lomber Disc Herniation

Effectiveness of Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) on Pain, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Radicular Pain Due to Lumbar Disc Herniation

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of pulse magnetic field therapy on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with chronic radicular pain due to lumbar disc herniation.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) is a non-invasive, painless treatment for various injuries, bone related conditions and pains. However, further studies on PEMF effects on low back and radicular pain is needed due to lack of studies in this area.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-65
• Unilateral radicular pain for at least 3 months
• Severity of radicular pain with Visual Analog Score of at least 4/10
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or lactation
• Cardiac pacemaker, or any metal implants or electronic devices anywhere in the body
• History of surgery or algological procedure of the lumbar region
• Physical therapy within the last year due to back pain
• Previous PEMF treatment
• Malignancy or suspicion
• Polyneuropathy (diabetic or other)
• Connective tissue disease
• Presence of inflammatory joint pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Presence of open surface wound
• Tuberculosis, mycosis, or viral disease
• Presence of pain in another region of the body with higher severity than radicular back pain
• Use of drugs other than paracetamol-derivative simple analgesics (Nonsteroidal Aanti inflammatuar, central effective, or narcotic analgesics), or less than three weeks since the discontinuation of these drugs
• Advanced mood disorder
• Radiographic evidence of Grade 2 spondylolisthesis, presence of spinal instability, and advanced degenerative spondylarthrosis