Pulsed electromagnetic fields are used to cure depression and to heal non-union fractures. By 2007 FDA had granted approval for several such devices. The same FDA has warned a manufacturer of pemf devices for marketing the device as a treatment option for diseases like spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy which are not approved by the FDA. 

Non-union fractures

For non-union fractures, FDA has approved the use of electromagnetic waves produced using pemf devices. There is considerable scientific evidence that supports the use of these devices for non-union fractures after pemf is stimulated between 75 % and 85 %. Though the pemf devices have claimed some benefits in this matter, the evidence is generally considered as inconclusive to inform and to be followed by the current clinical practices. So, pemf devices are not included in the guidelines for selecting suitable treatment options for osteochondral or similar other bone defects. 

Notwithstanding, there is evidence for the benefits one gets when pemf devices are used for the treatment of non-union fractures.  It has been noticed that pulsed electromagnetic fields can promote the amalgamation of skeletal extracellular matrices. The physiological response process of skeletal cells to the action of the pemf devices is the synthesis of the extracellular matrix as well as signalling the molecules in the wound. A reduction in time for the union of the fractured parts and an increase in the percentage of healing were noticed in patients supported by pemf devices in the cases of femoral neck fractures and fresh tibial fractures.

History

Although there were claims that electricity can be helpful in bone healing from the year 1841 onwards, there were no scientific studies in this regard till 1951 when scientists started studying and researching this subject.

Before the year 2000, much research and scientific studies were taking place in Western Europe, Japan, the United States.  In its summarized report which was based on more than 200 scientific and research papers, it is shown that there is considerable evidence for the benefits for a wide range of conditions like peripheral vascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, lung disease, rheumatic disease, dermatology, pediatrics, gynecology, surgery,  ophthalmology, oral medicine, inflammation, immunity, tumours, reproduction etc.

In the year 1970, Bassette and the team started to introduce a new technique in which low-frequency signal was used for curing non-union fractures. In Australia, Alan Dawyer attempted for the first time to use electrical stimulation for wounds in the lumbosacral region. 

Veterinarians started using pemf devices for healing broken racehorse’s legs. In the year 2014 the pemf devices were approved by the FDA as a supporting device for high-risk cervical fusion surgeries.  In the year 2020, FDA has recommended shifting of pemf devices to class 2 category from its existing class 3 category. This made the device eligible for health claims that need a physician’s prescription for use.

Wellness devices

The pemf devices in the olden days consisted of a Helmholtz coil which can produce nearly uniform magnetic fields. By placing the patient’s body inside this magnetic field, the treatment is carried out. Today most of the pemf devices resemble a typical yoga mat. They have almost the same dimensions except for a slight increase in the thickness so as to encase several spiral coils used to produce the electromagnetic field. At present, a lot of pemf devices are in the market which claims them as FDA approved wellness devices.

Most of the pemf devices are manufactured in countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland etc. They are marketed as yoga electric mats or as electric massages. For clinical use and for practising simple yoga postures they can be directly placed on the floor of the home or on massage tables.  The companies which are manufacturing and selling them as wellness products are not allowed to claim any medical benefits in treating diseases. 

Knee osteoarthritis

In the year 2013, a wearable pemf device was FDA cleared for treatment of pain related to knee osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis in one’s heel.

Depression

The effects of using pemf devices for treatments relating to depression has been studied in detail and it was established that the antidepressant activity of the pemf devices may be attributed to its impact on local brain activity as well as connectivity.

Postoperative pain 

FDA has cleared in 2019 that the pemf devices can be used as an adjunctive treatment for post-operative pain.

Musculoskeletal pain

 In the year 2020 the FDA has granted approval for the use of pemf devices as a useful treatment option for musculoskeletal pain as one manufacturer was able to produce evidence-based on three clinical studies the efficacy of pemf devices in treating musculoskeletal pain.