The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy.

European journal of ophthalmology · 1998 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 4090

Study snapshot

PublicationEuropean journal of ophthalmology · 1998

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate eye signs, proptosis and ocular movements in patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy under the influence of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. METHODS: We examined 14 patients (9 women, 5 men) with endocrine ophthalmopathy and evaluated eye signs, proptosis and ocular movements before and after the course of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, and 12 controls. Their age ranged from 29 to 57 years. Visual sensitivity was investigated with a static automatic perimeter (Allergan Humphrey Field Analyzer). The score was calculated by rating the severity of involvement of soft tissue, proptosis, extraocular movements, corneal state and optic nerve function on a scale from 0 to 3. The pulsed electromagnetic field procedures were carried out with the help of electromagnetic spectacles. RESULTS: Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduced the score for soft tissue and proptosis in patients who suffered from endocrine ophthalmopathy. There was fall in the mean score for ocular movements, corneal and optic nerve function but it did not reach significance after treatment. Electromagnetic field therapy has no useful effect on visual signs and eye movements in two patients who had had the illness more than two years. CONCLUSIONS: Localised pulsed electromagnetic field procedures can be recommended, together with other methods of conservative treatment of endocrine ophthalmopathy.

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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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPatients with endocrine ophthalmopathy

Sample size14

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 14 patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduced scores for soft tissue involvement and proptosis. Mean scores for ocular movements, corneal state, and optic nerve function decreased but were not statistically significant. The therapy had no useful effect on visual signs and eye movements in two patients with illness duration longer than two years.

Outcomes measured

eye signs
proptosis
ocular movements
visual sensitivity (static automatic perimetry)
soft tissue involvement score
corneal state score
optic nerve function score

Limitations

Small sample size (14 patients)
Frequency/dose parameters of the pulsed electromagnetic field not reported in abstract
Study design details (randomization/blinding) not described in abstract
Control group described (12 controls) but comparative results vs controls not reported in abstract
Duration of illness appears to modify response, but only noted for two patients

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "therapeutic pulsed electromagnetic field (electromagnetic spectacles)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy",
  "sample_size": 14,
  "outcomes": [
    "eye signs",
    "proptosis",
    "ocular movements",
    "visual sensitivity (static automatic perimetry)",
    "soft tissue involvement score",
    "corneal state score",
    "optic nerve function score"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 14 patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduced scores for soft tissue involvement and proptosis. Mean scores for ocular movements, corneal state, and optic nerve function decreased but were not statistically significant. The therapy had no useful effect on visual signs and eye movements in two patients with illness duration longer than two years.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (14 patients)",
    "Frequency/dose parameters of the pulsed electromagnetic field not reported in abstract",
    "Study design details (randomization/blinding) not described in abstract",
    "Control group described (12 controls) but comparative results vs controls not reported in abstract",
    "Duration of illness appears to modify response, but only noted for two patients"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "PEMF",
    "endocrine ophthalmopathy",
    "Graves' ophthalmopathy",
    "proptosis",
    "ocular movements",
    "electromagnetic spectacles"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "therapeutic-pemf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study evaluates pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as a treatment."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1177/112067219800800409
PubMed: 9891898

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