Therapeutic Application of Musically Modulated Electromagnetic Fields in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Different studies have demonstrated the efficacy of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) in the treatment of pain. In particular, the positive effects of ELF EMFs seems to depend on their respective codes, such as frequency, intensity and waveform, even if the exact mechanism of interaction is still debated. The most commonly used for extremely low frequency magnetotherapy is a 100Hz sinusoidal field (ELF) with a mean of induction of few Gauss. This article reviews the therapeutic application of a musically modulated electromagnetic field (TAMMEF), a new-generation of electromagnetic field used for extremely low frequency magnetotherapy characterized by variable frequencies, intensities and waveforms. Both clinical and experimental studies, performed by authors of the present review, have demonstrated the efficacy of ELF and the new TAMMEF systems in several musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder periarthritis and cervical spondylosis. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that ELF and TAMMEF systems are not only effective, but also safe, from clinical and experimental point of view. In fact, clinical trials did not reported any undesired side effect, while in vitro studies showed that ELF EMFs did not induce uncontrolled cell proliferation, did not affect cell viability and did not induce apoptosis. With their efficacy and safety, ELF and even more the new TAMMEF systems represent a valid complementary or alternative treatment to standard pharmacological therapies in reducing both pain and inflammation of patients affected by musculoskeletal disorders.For many years, numerous authors have investigated the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on simple systems, such as particles in solutions, colloids and living matter (1, 3). Moreover, electromagnetic fields can be divided into: high frequency electromagnetic fields that produce micro-vibration in the molecules interpreted as resonance phenomena (4, 5), and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) which are responsible of more modest actions (6). Despite the large amount of studies regarding the interaction of electromagnetic fields with biological systems, the exact mechanism through which electromagnetic fields interfere with molecules, cells and tissues is still debated. Literature reported that the preferred targets of EMFs seemed to be the endorphine modulation (7), enzyme regulation (8), inflammatory pathways (9) and also immune response (10).It could be hypothesized that different codes (frequency, intensity and waveform) of each