Pulsed electromagnetic field may reduce cellular inflammation

Orthofix International N.V. recently announced results of a cellular study designed to determine how pulsed electromagnetic field therapy affects gene expression of intervertebral disc cells in normal and inflammatory environments. According to a company press release, the results of the study indicate the therapy may reduce cellular inflammation and degradation associated with degeneration in human intervertebral disc cells.

Researchers used an in-vitro human cell culture and microarray gene expression study in which cells were stimulated to elicit the inflammatory environment associated with degenerative disc disease. Cells were exposed to the Orthofix Physio-Stim (pulsed electromagnetic field) PEMF for 4 hours a day, and at day 4 the study data revealed the treated cells showed a reduction in pro-inflammatory markers and a decrease in degeneration of the cellular matrix relative to the control group, according to the release.

However, researchers found the reduction did not last to day 7, according to the release.

“We continue to support preclinical evaluation of PEMF technology to confirm and validate the potential for new clinical applications,” Orthofix Chief Scientific Officer and study coauthor James Ryaby, PhD, said in the release. “We remain committed to furthering the body of clinical evidence that drives best medical practice and improved patient outcomes. We believe this study suggests that PEMF may be an important future treatment option for patients suffering from degenerative disc disease.”

The Orthofix Physio-Stim and Cervical-Stim PEMF technology are approved by the FDA.

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