AB0868 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS: RESULTS OF A MULTICENTER BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) is a well-known method of non-pharmacological treatment that is widely used in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Objective(s): To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PEMF in KOA. Method(s): The study group consisted of 231 KOA patients, 77.9% of women, age 61.9+/-12.2 years, BMI 30.6+/-5.8 kg / m2, average disease duration 5.0 [2.0;10.0] years. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 patients received PEMF for 14 days using a device that creates a low-frequency pulsed magnetic field, group 2-a false PEMF (a device that completely simulates a working device, but does not create a magnetic field). We evaluated the dynamics of the WOMAC index, the severity of pain at rest and when moving on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS), the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the evaluation of the patient's treatment result (on a 5-point scale). Result(s): Statistically significant reduction in pain, stiffness, and improved function was observed in both true PEMF and false PEMF. Thus, the WOMAC pain in Group 1 decreased from 231 [180; 290] to 110 [60; 166.3], p<0.001; in Group 2 from 212.4 [145; 260] to 143 [76.5; 200], p<0.001, the severity of pain in rest (VAS) decreased in Group 1 from 47 [27.8; 60] to 20 [10; 30], p<0.001; in Group 2 from 40 [20; 57.5] to 20 [7.5; 40], p<0.001. After therapy, the need for NSAIDs also decreased: in Group 1 NSAIDs were canceled or reduced in 33.1% of patients, in Group 2-in 16.8% (p=0.006). For all indicators, the dynamics were statistically more significant in Group 1 than in Group 2. The result of treatment as "good" and "excellent" was evaluated by 58.5% of patients in Group 1 and 39.8% of patients in Group 2, p<0.001. No serious adverse reactions were observed when using true and false PEMF. Two patients who received false PEMF therapy was interrupted due to increased joint pain. Conclusion(s): PEMF with short-term use provides a significant improvement in the condition of KOA patients. PEMF is well tolerated and does not cause serious complications.