Key Takeaway
PEMF therapy significantly improves bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, supporting its use as a non-pharmacological bone health intervention.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis by pooling data from randomized controlled trials. The authors searched multiple databases for RCTs comparing PEMF to sham or standard care in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
The meta-analysis found that PEMF therapy produced statistically significant improvements in bone mineral density (BMD) compared to control groups. The treatment showed benefits across different skeletal sites, with improvements in both lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD measurements. Pain outcomes were also improved in the PEMF groups.
The findings suggest PEMF therapy is an effective non-invasive, non-pharmacological option for improving bone density in postmenopausal osteoporosis. This is particularly relevant given that many patients cannot tolerate or prefer alternatives to bisphosphonates and other osteoporosis medications. The authors recommended further large-scale trials to confirm optimal treatment parameters and long-term benefits.