The hemorheological safety of pulsed electromagnetic fields in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in southwest China: A randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Apart from medications, pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are used to treat osteoporosis nowadays. However studies on hemorheological safety of PEMFs were scarce. This randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial assessed whether PEMFs could lead to significant hemorheological changes. Fifty-five postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive placebo or PEMFs. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline and after treatment to measure 14 hemorheological determinants. Independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test and chi-squared tests were performed respectively. Relationships between variables were determined by Pearson correlation analysis. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was used to explore predictors of selected determinants. No significant differences existed between the placebo and PEMFs groups for any of the 14 hemorheological determinants (P > 0.05) or the percentage of patients with hemorheological determinant within reference range (P > 0.05). Hematocrit was found to be correlated with BMI (P = 0.007). The most significant predictor of blood reduced viscosity at low shear rate was blood viscosity at low shear rate. And blood reduced viscosity at high shear rate was the most important predictor of plasma viscosity. These results showed, compared with placebo, PEMFs treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was not associated with adverse changes in hemorheological determinants, which may contribute to venous thromboembolism.

Effects of combined treatment with ibandronate and pulsed electromagnetic field on ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis in rats

“…In various animal models of osteoporosis, PEMF was associated with higher BMD, bone strength, and less deterioration of bone microarchitecture [Jing et al, , , , ]. Clinical studies with osteoporotic patients have also indicated that PEMF can increase BMD, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life without side effects [Liu et al, ,]. In our previous studies with rats, PEMF appeared to have positive effects in ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis [Zhou et al, , ] and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic osteopenia [Zhou et al, ].…”

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Affects the Development of Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women with Vertebral Fractures

“…PEMF devices were conducted using an XT-2000B therapeutic stimulator (Tianjin xtmed, Tianjin, China). According to the manufacturer's instructions and statement, as well as the purpose of the study, it generated time-varying fields consisting of bursts of asymmetric pulses as in previous studies [16]. According to the manufacturer's instructions and statement, as well as the purpose of the study, it generated time-varying fields consisting of bursts of asymmetric pulses.…”

Effect of intervention initiation timing of pulsed electromagnetic field on ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis in rats

“…Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a promising alternative to drug‐based interventions for osteoporosis. In previous studies, we demonstrated that PEMF therapy increases bone mineral density (BMD), alleviates pain, improves the quality of life of patients with osteoporosis, and has a good safety profile [Liu et al, ,]. PEMF has been shown to be effective in animal models of osteoporosis [Jing et al, , , , ].…”