Effectiveness of pulse electromagnetic field therapy in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A double-blind randomized sham controlled study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the 3-month effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

Design: Planned analysis of a randomized controlled trial with 4- and 12-week follow-ups.

Setting: Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, treatment unit.

Participants: Of the 250 individuals screened for eligibility, participants with a diagnosis of SIS (N=80) were randomized to intervention or control groups.

Intervention: The first group received PEMF + exercise and the second group received sham PEMF + exercise 5 days a week for a total of 20 sessions.

Main outcome measures: Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Constant Murley Score (CMS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Short Form-36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Questionnaire, and shoulder muscle strength measurement with an isokinetic dynamometer. Evaluations were performed before treatment (T0), after treatment (T1), and 12th week (T2).

Results: Evaluation at T1 and T2 showed improvement in most parameters in both groups compared with baseline. In the comparison between the 2 groups at T1 and T2, more improvement was found in the PEMF group in most parameters.

Conclusions: In our study, PEMF was found to be superior to sham PEMF in terms of pain, ROM, functionality, and quality of life at the first and third months.