1st of 2 Studies:
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7315871/
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Background: The efficacy of antidepressant treatment is fair, but the efficacy is considerably lower in patients failing two or more trials underscoring the need for new treatment options. Our study evaluated the augmenting antidepressant effect of 8-weeks transcranial pulsed electromagnetic field (T-PEMF) therapy in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Methods: A multicenter 8-week single-arm cohort study conducted by the Danish University Antidepressant Group.
Results: In total, 58 participants (20 men and 38 women) with a moderate to severe depression as part of a depressive disorder according to ICD-10 who fulfilled criteria for treatment resistance were included, with 19 participants being nonresponders to electroconvulsive therapy during the current depressive episode. Fifty-two participants completed the study period. Scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale 17-items version (HAM-D17) decreased significantly from baseline (mean = 20.6, SD 4.0) to endpoint (mean = 12.6, SD 7.1; N = 58). At endpoint, utilizing a Last Observation Carried Forward analysis, 49 and 28% of those participants with, respectively, a nonchronic current episode (≤2 years; N = 33) and a chronic current episode (>2 years; N = 25) were responders, that is, achieved a reduction of 50% or more on the HAM-D17 scale. At endpoint, respectively, 30 and 16% obtained remission, defined as HAM-D17 ≤ 7. On the Hamilton Scale 6-item version (HAM-D6), respectively, 51 and 16% obtained remission, defined as HAM-D6 ≤ 4.
Conclusions: The findings indicate a potential beneficial role of T-PEMF therapy as an augmentation treatment to ongoing pharmacotherapy in treatment-resistant depression.
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2nd Study:
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28893387/
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The effect of pulsed electromagnetic frequency therapy on health-related quality of life in military service members with chronic low back pain
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Abstract
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Background: In the U.S. military, chronic low back pain is among the most frequent complaints for medical visits, lost work time, and attrition from active duty and the deployed setting by service members.
Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether adjunctive treatment with pulsed electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) produced significant variability in chronic low back pain symptoms and secondary health-related quality of life, mental health and disability outcomes.
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Methods: Prospective, randomized pilot study with repeated measures at baseline, post-treatment, and 1 month follow-up for two groups: usual care (UC) vs. UC + PEMF.
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Findings: In a convenience sample of 75 service members, health-related quality of life mental and physical component scores were significant: F(2, 104) = 4.20, p = .018 (η2 = .075) and F(2, 104) = 4.75, p = .011 (η2 = .084), respectively; as was anxiety symptom severity: F(2, 104) = 5.28, p = .007 (η2 = .092).
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Discussion and recommendations: Adjunctive treatment with PEMF demonstrated improvements in service members' overall physical health-related quality of life with expected, yet statistically nonsignificant improvements in reported pain and LBP-related disability. There were significant between group differences in anxiety symptom severity with higher symptoms reported by the UC + PEMF group, surprising findings that warrant further investigation.
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Study design: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
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Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy combined with therapeutic exercises in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP).
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