2025 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster
Prospective Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial on the Long-Term Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy
Samuel Ka-Kin Ling, MBChB, ChM, FHKCOS, FRCSEd, FHKAM, Hong Kong HONG KONG
Man Chi Ko, PhD, Hong Kong HONG KONG
Patrick S. H. Yung, MBChB, FRCS(Orth), FHKCOS, FHKAM, FRCS, Shatin, New Territories HONG KONG
the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, HONG KONG
FDA Status Cleared
Summary
RCT showing Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field therapy improves pain and function in patients with Achilles Tendinopathy
ePosters will be available shortly before Congress
Abstract
Introduction
Achilles tendinopathy, a common orthopaedic condition, has no gold standard non-operative treatment. Pulsed-Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy has been used for various musculoskeletal disorders with promising results. The study is the first to investigate the long-term effects of PEMF therapy for Achilles tendinopathy.
Methods
This double-blinded randomised controlled trial recruited 65 participants at the Chinese University of Hong Kong; and followed them up for 1 year. They were randomly allocated to be treated with active PEMF therapy or sham PEMF therapy for 10 minutes each session, for a total of 16 sessions. The randomisation results were blinded to participants and assessors. Participants reported Achilles tendon pain and its impact on function by the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The same physiotherapist assessed all outcomes on baseline, 6 and 12 months after commencement of PEMF therapy. An independent sample t-test was used to analyse whether group differences existed at 6 and 12 months.
Results
The participants treated with active PEMF therapy demonstrated significantly improved VISA-A and NPRS scores compared to those receiving sham PEMF therapy. The active PEMF group had significantly higher VISA-A scores than the sham PEMF group at 6 months (p=0.043), but no significant differences were found at 12 months (p=0.793) (figure 01). In addition, NPRS scores were significantly lower in the active PEMF group compared to the Sham group at 6 months (p<0.001) and 12 months (p<0.008) (figure 02). No adverse effects of PEMF therapy were reported during the study period.
Conclusions
PEMF therapy effectively improved rehabilitation outcomes, with statistically significant improvements in pain at 6 months and 1 year. There was also a quicker regain of function at 6 months compared to the sham group. Future research should investigate the optimal dosage of PEMF and its effect as a combined multi-modal treatment regime for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.