Pulse E.R.

Research

Scientific Support

Research behind the Therapy
 

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF)

In the last 30 years clinicians and scientists have developed a significant volume of research involving cell models, animals and humans demonstrating the biological effects and clinical value of PEMF treatment for a variety of conditions. This research has revealed the significant effects of PEMF treatment in the areas of pain management, mitigation of inflammation, bone healing, and wound healing.

Science has proven that damaged, weak cells caused by stress, injury or overuse have an imbalanced electrical charge. When the voltage of a cell is compromised, the body is unable to rejuvenate itself which is when physical dysfunction manifests. PEMF therapy results in the return of electrical balance within the cell and increases nutrient circulation and oxygen flow. When cells are properly charged and functioning, soreness is reduced, inflammation is decreased, range of motion is increased, stress is reduced, and the body’s restoring abilities are accelerated allowing the horse to perform at its personal best.

The response to PEMF treatment is only observed in injured tissues. PEMF does not cause bone growth or tissue regeneration outside of the context of injured tissue. Therefore, there are no adverse events or detrimental side effects of PEMF treatment.

PEMF mimics the natural electromagnetic fields found throughout nature and operates via a few biological cascades rather than one narrow signaling pathway. PEMF treatment results in increased calcium ion signaling, causing release of intracellular calcium. This leads to increased binding of calcium to calmodulin and a variety of downstream signaling pathways related to metabolism, inflammation, apoptosis, vascular tone among others. Additionally, PEMF induces downstream production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator which influences cells of the immune system and nervous system.

Scientific research and clinical trials in the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia and the United States have investigated the applications of PEMF and have shown excellent rates of success, with no side effects. It is evident that PEMF exposure increases the rejuvenation of bone, muscle, tendon, ligament and skin tissues. The following are a few of the diverse range of therapeutic PEMF applications.

Bone healing

PEMF is associated with faster recovery of load-bearing ability, increased bone formation, and greater mechanical strength of the healing bone. PEMF exposure increases expression of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4, induces osteogenesis and promotes differentiation of osteoblast cells, all of which are required for bone repair.

SOFT TISSUE WOUND HEALING

PEMF accelerates the healing of chronic wounds, it enhances blood flow and increases production of growth factors for repairing tissue. Research has shown that PEMF exposure can accelerate growth of new blood vessels by 5-fold. It enhances vascular performance and vascularization and associated tissue perfusion and oxygenation which are all important for wound repair. Further, PEMF drives the release of the growth factors that support neovascularization, tissue regeneration and tissue remodeling. Clinical findings of increased tensile strength at tendon repair sites have been reported. Additionally, PEMF exposure has shown to result in a significant reduction in wound infection, inhibits bacterial growth and production, decreases staphylococcus aureus colony forming units, and stimulates macrophages and body immunity.

INFLammation, PAIn and EDEMA

PEMF induces gene expression changes associated with resolution of inflammation and has shown to result in production of low concentrations of nitric oxide, which are associated with diminished inflammation and enhancement of vasodilation. PEMF treatment lowers pain levels and results in lower concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers and improved proprioceptive function. Clinical findings of reduced pain, swelling and inflammation have all been reported through the use of PEMF therapy.

health and wellbeing

PEMF results in the improvement of quality of life and decreases clinical signs of degenerative disease, decreases overall pain and improves function. PEMF treatment results in the upregulation of nitric oxide production which reduces inflammatory gene expression in immune cells, reduces programmed cell death, and promotes dilation of blood vessels and enhances circulation. After injury, pro-inflammatory cytokines are quickly released imitating a complex inflammatory cascade, this response helps ward off infection and reduces use of the affected area. Further, PEMF stimulates bacteriostasis and enhances overall body immunity.

PSYCHiatric and NEUROLOgical

PEMF therapy helps improve mood and behavioral disorders. It has been shown to reduce inflammatory cytokine production in the brain and promotes brain healing. Further it has been reported to reduce clinical signs of depression and anxiety.

 
 

Research Articles

  • Assiotis, A., Sachinis, N.P., Chalidis, B.E., 2012. Pulsed electromagnetic fields for the treatment of tibial delayed unions and nonunions. A prospective clinical study and review of the literature. J. Orthop Sure Res. 7, 24.

  • Bassett, C.A., Mitchell, S.N., Gaston, S.R., 1982. Pulsing electromagnetic field treatment in ununited fractures and failed arthrodeses. JAMA. 247, 623-628.

  • Bodamyali, T., Bhatt, B., Hughes, F.J., Winrow, V.R., Kanczler, J.M., Simon, B., Abbott, J., Blake, D.R., Stevens, C.R., 1998. Pulsed electromagnetic fields simultaneously induce osteogenesis and up regulate transcription of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4 in rat osteoblasts in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 250, 458-461.

  • Brondani, J.T., Luna, S.P., Padovani, C.R., 2011. Refinement and initial validation of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats. Am J Vet Res. 72, 174-183.

  • Cane, V., Bolti, P., Soana, S., 1993. Pulsed magnetic fields improve osteoblast activity during the repair of an experimental osseous defect. J. Ortho Res. 11(5), 664-670.

  • Gaynor J.S., Hagberg S, Gurfein, B.T., 2018. Veterinary applications of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Res Vet Sci. 119, 1-8.

  • Inoue, N., Ohnishi, I., Chen, D., Dietz, I.W., Schwardt, J.D., Chao, E.Y., 2002. Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on late-phase osteotomy gap healing in a canine tibial model. J. Orthop Res. 20, 1106-1114.

  • Kobluk, C., Johnston, G., Lauper, L., 1994. A scintigraphic investigation of magnetic field therapy on the equine third metacarpus. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 7(1), 9-13.

  • Petecchia, I., Sbrana, F., Utzeri, R., Vercellino, M., Usai, C., Visai, I., Vassalli, M., Gavazzo, P., 2015. Electro-magnetic field promotes osteogenic differentiation of BM-hMSCs through a selective action on Ca(2+)-related mechanisms. Sci Rep. 5, 13856.

  • Pilla, A.A., 2012. Electromagnetic fields instantaneously modulate nitric oxide signaling in challenged biological systems. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 426, 330-333.

  • Pilla, A., Fitzsimmons, R., Muehsam, D., Wu, J., Rohde, C., Casper, D., 2011. Electromagnetic fields as first messenger in biological signaling: application to calmodulin-dependent signaling in tissue repair. Biochem Biophys Acta. 1810, 1236-1245.

  • Pinna, S., Landucci, F., Tribuiani, A.M., Carli, F., Venturini, A., 2012. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic field in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs: Clinical Study. Pak Vet J. 33, 96-100.

  • Pinna, S., Landucci, F., Cella, V., 2014. Pulsed electromagnetic field for the treatment of canine Legs-Calve-Perthes disease. Pak Vet J. 35, 245-247.

  • Rasouli, J., Lekhraj, R., White, N.M., Flamm, E.S., Pilla, A.A., Strauch, B., Casper, D., 2012. Attenuation of interleukin-1beta by pulsed electromagnetic fields after traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Lett. 519, 4-8.

  • Rohan, M.I., Yamamoto, R.T., Ravichandran, C.T., Cayetano, K.R., Morales, O.G., Olson, D.P., Vitaliano, G., Paul, S.M., Cohen, B.M., 2014. Rapid mood-elevating effects of low field magnetic stimulation in depression. Biological Psychiatry. 76, 186-193.

  • Shafford, H.I., Hellyer, P.W., Crump, K.T., Wagner, A.E., Mama, K.R., Gaynor, J.S., 2002. Use of a pulsed electromagnetic field for treatment of post-operative pain in dogs: a pilot study. Vet Anaesth Analg. 29, 43-49.

  • Strauch, B., Patel, M.K., Navarro, J.A., Berdichevsky, M., Yu, H.I., Pilla, A.A., 2007. Pulsed magnetic fields accelerate cutaneous wound healing in rats. Plast Reconstr Surg. 120, 425-430.

  • Tsai, M.T., Li, W.J., Tuan, R.S., Chang, W.H., 2009. Modulation of osteogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells by specific pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation. J. Orthop Res. 27, 1169-1174.

  • Wiseman-Orr. M.I., Scott, E.M., Reid, J., Nolan, A.M., 2006. Validation of a structured questionnaire as an instrument to measure chronic pain in dogs on the basis of effects on health-related quality of life. Am J Vet Res. 67, 1826-1836.

  • Zidan, N., Fenn, J., Griffith, E., Early, P.J., Mariani, C.I., Munana, K.R., Guever, J., Olby, N., 2018. The effect of electromagnetic fields on postoperative pain and locomotor recovery in dogs with acute, severe thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion: a randomized placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial. J. Neurotrauma. 35(15), 1726-1736.