Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a randomised controlled trial

Int Orthop · 2014 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 2755

At 1 month after TKA, pain, knee swelling, and functional score were significantly better in the pulsed electromagnetic field (I-ONE) group than in controls. Pain remained significantly lower at 6 months, and at 3 years severe pain and occasional walking limi…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt Orthop · 2014

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Purpose: It has been reported that even one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a relevant percentage of patients does not attain complete recovery and indicate unfavourable long-term pain outcome. We compared the clinical outcome of 33 patients undergoing TKA randomly assigned to the control or the pulsed electromagnetic field group (I-ONE therapy). Methods: I-ONE therapy was administered postoperatively four hours per day for 60 days. Patients were assessed before surgery and then at one, two and six months postoperatively using international scores. Results: One month after TKA, pain, knee swelling and functional score were significantly better in the treated compared with the control group. Pain was still significantly lower in the treated group at the six month follow-up. Three years after surgery, severe pain and occasional walking limitations were reported in a significantly lower number of patients in the treated group. Conclusions: Advantages deriving from early control of joint inflammation may explain the maintenance of results at follow-up. I-ONE therapy should be considered an effective completion of the TKA procedure.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPatients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA)

Sample size33

Exposure4 hours/day for 60 days postoperatively

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

pain
knee swelling
functional score
severe pain at 3 years
occasional walking limitations at 3 years

Limitations

Small sample size (n=33)
EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity) not reported in abstract
Details of randomization, blinding, and control condition not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (I-ONE therapy)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 hours/day for 60 days postoperatively"
  },
  "population": "Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA)",
  "sample_size": 33,
  "outcomes": [
    "pain",
    "knee swelling",
    "functional score",
    "severe pain at 3 years",
    "occasional walking limitations at 3 years"
  ],
  "main_findings": "At 1 month after TKA, pain, knee swelling, and functional score were significantly better in the pulsed electromagnetic field (I-ONE) group than in controls. Pain remained significantly lower at 6 months, and at 3 years severe pain and occasional walking limitations were reported by a significantly lower number of treated patients.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=33)",
    "EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity) not reported in abstract",
    "Details of randomization, blinding, and control condition not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "PEMF",
    "I-ONE therapy",
    "total knee arthroplasty",
    "postoperative pain",
    "knee swelling",
    "functional outcome",
    "randomised controlled trial"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s00264-013-2216-7
PubMed: 24352823

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