Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on benign prostate hyperplasia.

International urology and nephrology · 2011 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4463

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational urology and nephrology · 2011

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) has been treated with various types of electromagnetic radiation methods such as transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), interstitial laser therapy (ILC), holmium laser resection (HoLRP). In the present study, the effects of a noninvasive method based on the exposure of patients with BPH to a pulsative EM Field at radiofrequencies have been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with BPH, aging 68-78 years old (y.o), were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group (10 patients, 74.0 ± 5.7 y.o) treated with the α-blocker Alfusosin, 10 mg/24 h for at least 4 weeks, and the electromagnetic group (10 patients, 73.7 ± 6.3 y.o) exposed for 2 weeks in a very short wave duration, pulsed electromagnetic field at radiofrequencies generated by an ion magnetic inductor, for 30 min daily, 5 consecutive days per week. Patients of both groups were evaluated before and after drug and EMF treatment by values of total PSA and prostatic PSA fraction, acid phosphate, U/S estimation of prostate volume and urine residue, urodynamic estimation of urine flow rate, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease before and after treatment of IPSS (P < 0.02), U/S prostate volume (P < 0.05), and urine residue (P < 0.05), as well as of mean urine flow rate (P < 0.05) in patients of the electromagnetic group, in contrast to the treatment group who had only improved IPSS (P < 0.05). There was also a significant improvement in clinical symptoms in patients of the electromagnetic group. Follow-up of the patients of this group for one year revealed that results obtained by EMFs treatment are still remaining. CONCLUSION: Pulsed electromagnetic field at radiofrequencies may benefit patients with benign prostate hyperplasia treated by a non-invasive method.

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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 typerandomized_trial

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPatients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), age 68–78 years

Sample size20

ExposureRF · 30 min daily, 5 consecutive days/week for 2 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In the electromagnetic (pulsed RF EMF) group, IPSS, ultrasound-estimated prostate volume, urine residue, and mean urine flow rate showed statistically significant decreases after treatment; the drug (alfuzosin) group showed improvement only in IPSS. The abstract reports improved clinical symptoms in the electromagnetic group and that results persisted at 1-year follow-up for that group.

Outcomes measured

International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
Ultrasound-estimated prostate volume
Urine residue
Mean urine flow rate (urodynamic)
Total PSA
Prostatic PSA fraction
Acid phosphate
Clinical symptoms
Durability of effects at 1-year follow-up (electromagnetic group)

Limitations

Very small sample size (n=20; 10 per group)
RF exposure parameters not specified beyond 'very short wave duration' and treatment schedule (no frequency or dosimetry reported)
Follow-up described only for the electromagnetic group (comparative long-term outcomes not reported)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "therapeutic device (ion magnetic inductor)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 min daily, 5 consecutive days/week for 2 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), age 68–78 years",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)",
    "Ultrasound-estimated prostate volume",
    "Urine residue",
    "Mean urine flow rate (urodynamic)",
    "Total PSA",
    "Prostatic PSA fraction",
    "Acid phosphate",
    "Clinical symptoms",
    "Durability of effects at 1-year follow-up (electromagnetic group)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In the electromagnetic (pulsed RF EMF) group, IPSS, ultrasound-estimated prostate volume, urine residue, and mean urine flow rate showed statistically significant decreases after treatment; the drug (alfuzosin) group showed improvement only in IPSS. The abstract reports improved clinical symptoms in the electromagnetic group and that results persisted at 1-year follow-up for that group.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (n=20; 10 per group)",
    "RF exposure parameters not specified beyond 'very short wave duration' and treatment schedule (no frequency or dosimetry reported)",
    "Follow-up described only for the electromagnetic group (comparative long-term outcomes not reported)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "benign prostate hyperplasia",
    "BPH",
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "radiofrequency",
    "very short wave",
    "ion magnetic inductor",
    "alfuzosin",
    "IPSS",
    "prostate volume",
    "urine residue",
    "urine flow rate"
  ],
  "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/s11255-011-9944-7
PubMed: 21537858

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