UK-Based PEMF Therapy & Electromagnetic Treatment Studies: A Tabular Overview
If you have read our many articles looking into Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy, you can see that it is a well-established form of non-invasive treatment used in a wide array of conditions and illnesses. Whilst PEMF Therapy has been rigorously studied — largely within Europe and the USA since the 1970s — there has been a surprisingly small amount of research conducted within the U.K.
Electromagnetic therapies using direct current have a variety of names: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) or Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). In Germany this form of therapy is covered by health insurance companies for a limited scope: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Eczema and Warts. In Belgium, Switzerland and Japan these modalities are also covered by health insurance and generally a household name.
However, PEMF therapy isn’t well know in the UK — yet. There are many hypotheses as to why PEMF therapy is not as prevalent in the U.K.:
- Historically, PEMF therapy has not been developed by British scientists, and therefore found it difficult to break through to the British public
- Funding for PEMF therapy is more widely available in the US and Europe
- PEMF Therapy has not recieved widespread media attention
- The funding structure of the NHS supports devices in getting to market, but developing and testing additional uses for the same device (rather than drug) isn’t well funded
- The relatively high cost of living and of PEMF devices make it difficult to adopt by laymen in the UK — as opposed to Reiki or Homeopathy, for example, which have very little R&D and equipment costs
Whilst not an exhaustive list, it is evident that the U.K. requires more home-grown research into PEMF therapy in order to prove its validity, benefits, and safety for public consumption.
However, there have been a number of increased British studies into PEMF therapy, largely through educational collaborations. Below is a list of British studies into Electromagnetic Therapies, with a hyperlink and short conclusion of the study provided. We encourage all readers to take their time to delve into these articles to fully understand the many benefits of PEMF therapy, proven by British academics and researchers.
| Title of Study | Hyperlink | Conclusion of Study | Number of Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. | https://www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/publications/1099060 | PEMF can provide pain relief and improve quality of life in the short term. | 15 |
| 6-Month Outcomes of PEMF to Nucleotide Sources Revealing Cell Sensory Experience in Pain Relief, Stress Relief and Anti Ageing Restoration (PEMF) | https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04461470 | Long term ongoing study into the benefits of PEMF regarding Ageing, Pain, Stress, and Immunity Compromise. | 5000 |
| Pulsed electromagnetic fields in knee osteoarthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial | https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04461470 | PEMF greatly reduced pain in the knee, whilst helping with pain management and pain thresholds in patients. | 5000 |
| The effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic fields bone growth stimulation in acute fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials | https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI&ID=12014036520&LinkFrom=OAI&ID=12014036520 | PEMF could be useful in treating non-operated fractures – approved by University of York for NHS consumption. | 730 |
| Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and osteoarthritis of the knee: synthesis of the literature | https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI&ID=12005005529&LinkFrom=OAI&ID=12005005529 | PEMF is useful in helping with knee pain and knee osteoarthritis. | 528 |
| Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials | https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI&ID=12009106033&LinkFrom=OAI&ID=12009106033 | PEMF improved patients’ ratings of daily living and stiffness. | 86 |
| Electromagnetic Field Therapy: A Rehabilitative Perspective in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain – A Systematic Review | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32606905/ | PEMF, at a low frequency, is effective at relieving musculoskeletal pain. It also has no side effects recorded. | 21 Studies Cross-Referenced |
| The impact of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on blood pressure and circulating nitric oxide levels: a double blind, randomized study in subjects with metabolic syndrome | https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central/doi/10.1002/central/CN-01954565/full | PEMF was useful at increasing plasma nitrous oxide levels in patients. | 23 |
| Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Trauma | https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05033600 | PEMF greatly improved symptoms related to PTSD & Trauma over the course of 6 weeks.
NOTE: This is our own Clinical Trial, conducted by NCET. |
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What Is Next For U.K. Based Research?
Having read many of the research articles listed above, it is abundently clear that they all agree that more research needs to be conducted on a much larger scale to further prove the efficacy of PEMF treatment. The research heavily indicates numerous benefits to PEMF therapy, but the financial and time restrains on many studies have left us wanting more.
It is our goal at NCET to acquire the relevant funding for a wider, more comprehensive study into PEMF Therapy. With funding, we will be able to study larger groups of participants for a longer period of time, use control and sham groups to further prove efficacy of treatment, and use a wider time frame to understand the long term impacts of treatment as well.
Whilst we continue our journey towards further academic research, we appreciate any correspondence relating to the work we do, or our research plans. You can get in touch with us at admin@ncet.co.uk.