Electromagnetic fields in the treatment of chronic lower back pain in patients with degenerative disc disease.

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "medical device",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with persistent chronic lower back pain associated with degenerative disc disease",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain reduction",
    "Mobility",
    "Overall physical health",
    "Social functioning",
    "Bodily pain",
    "Pain relief at target area",
    "Left lateral mobility"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, the EMF group showed improvements in overall physical health and social functioning and reductions in bodily pain versus placebo. Higher pain relief ratings at the target area and increased left lateral mobility were reported only in the EMF group.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field therapy",
    "low-amplitude",
    "low frequency",
    "double-blind",
    "randomized",
    "placebo-controlled",
    "chronic lower back pain",
    "degenerative disc disease",
    "pain relief",
    "mobility"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "other",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Therapeutic use of low-frequency EMF for chronic low back pain; not clearly tied to common exposure/policy hubs."
    }
  ]
}