Comparison of the effect of low frequency electromagnetic field application with the procedures using solid magnets in patients with gonarthrosis

Abstract

Background. The aim of the study was comparative assessment of the effect of treatment using low frequency alternating magnetic field and permanent magnets on the quality of life, intensity of symptoms and the range of movements in patients with unilateral degenerative changes in the knee joint. Material and methods. The sample included 60 participants aged 55-75 years from “Senioren Zentrum Schloss Liechtenstein der Wiener Privat Klinik” in Austria. The patients were divided into two groups (EM and SM), depending on the applied form of treatment. EM patients underwent treatment using low frequency alternating magnetic field, applied on the knee joint with degenerative changes. The second group underwent 10 25-minute-long procedures. Two bipolar permanent magnets were placed on the patients’ knee joints 12 hours a day to wear them 10 days. The quality of life was measured using WOMAC scale, pain intensity was measured using visual analog scale (VAS) and the measurement of the range of motion in the knee joint was taken. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was conducted using Statistica program version 12 (StatSoft, Poland). Results. The results show that both the low frequency alternating magnetic field and permanent magnets have a statistically significant favorable effect on improvement of quality of life, reduce pain and improve the range of motion in patients with gonarthrosis. The between group comparison of the therapeutic effects has revealed a significantly greater improvement of the quality of life in the group of patients undergoing treatment using magnets. Conclusions. The benefits of the treatment using alternating magnetic field or permanent magnets in patients with gonarthrosis seem to be comparable in the light of the study results. However, the additional benefits of treatment with permanent magnets, due to the possibility of self-application after consultation with the specialist in this field, are of note. It is particularly important in cases of problems with direct access to specialist therapeutic centers. In the case of athletes, it is also possible to apply this form of treatment by the patients themselves after sport-related injuries or in preventive measures aimed at the improvement of natural processes of post-exercise restitution.