Prostaglandin E2 Levels in the Evaluation of Management of Osteoarthritis Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Field: An Interventional Study

Abstract

Knee pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal problems among the middle-aged and elderly people and ‘Osteoarthritis’ is the widespread clinical pathology of the knee. Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate whether low frequency Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is effective in patients with osteoarthritis knee using surface Electromyography (sEMG) of vastusmedialis. Method: The participants were subjected to Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy using the PULSATRON instrument designed by Madras Institute of Magnetobiology, Anna nagar. They were given PEMF therapy of 10Hz for 60 minutes/day for 21 days with a break after every 6 days. Serum PGE2 levels are measured by invitro ELISA method. Serum Prostaglandin E2 levels are estimated before and after PEMF therapy. Results: The study shows that Low frequency PEMF (10 Hz) can be used as a treatment modality for Osteoarthritis. PEMF therapy, when given for a sufficient time (21 days) has shown to reduce the inflammation by decreasing the levels of the inflammatory marker Prostaglandin E2.Serum PGE2 levels were found to be significantly decreased (p <0.001) in the study group following the Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy.