--- title: "Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields" description: "Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy may improve physical function in knee osteoarthritis but does not significantly reduce pain or stiffness." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html" type: "study" study_key: "s160" journal: "J Rehabil Med" year: 2019 pmid: "31583420" doi: "10.2340/16501977-2613" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s160 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Rehabil Med | | Year | 2019 | | PMID | [31583420](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31583420/) | | DOI | [10.2340/16501977-2613](https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2613) | | Study key | s160 | ## Takeaway Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy may improve physical function in knee osteoarthritis but does not significantly reduce pain or stiffness. ## The question Does classical pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy effectively treat patients with knee osteoarthritis? ## Hypothesis The study implicitly hypothesizes that classical PEMF therapy will improve outcomes such as pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. ## Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared classical PEMF therapy with placebo in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Data on pain, stiffness, and physical function were extracted from 8 RCTs involving 421 patients. ## Results PEMF therapy improved physical function (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -5.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] -9.45 to -1.11, p = 0.01). However, it showed no significant advantage in reducing Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score (WMD = -7.80, 95% CI -16.08 to 0.47, p = 0.06), WOMAC pain score (WMD = -1.06, 95% CI -2.30 to 0.17, p = 0.09), visual analogue scale pain score (WMD = -0.88, 95% CI -2.06 to 0.31, p = 0.15), or WOMAC stiffness score (WMD = -0.50, 95% CI -1.09 to 0.09, p = 0.1). ## Conclusion Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is beneficial for improving physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, but it does not show an advantage in treating pain and stiffness. ## Limitations Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal parameters and treatment regimen for pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. ## Verbatim from the abstract > efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on patients with knee osteoarthritis ## Effect of PEMF Therapy on Outcomes in Knee Osteoarthritis | Measure | Weighted Mean Difference | | --- | --- | | Physical Function (WMD) | -5.28 | | WOMAC Total Score (WMD) | -7.8 | | WOMAC Pain Score (WMD) | -1.06 | | VAS Pain Score (WMD) | -0.88 | | WOMAC Stiffness Score (WMD) | -0.5 | *Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) values indicate the effect of PEMF therapy compared to placebo for various outcomes. Negative values generally suggest improvement.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | PEMF Therapy Mat | Moderate evidence | [PEMF Therapy Mat](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/160.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields** J Rehabil Med 2019 · [PMID 31583420](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31583420/) · [DOI 10.2340/16501977-2613](https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2613) > efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on patients with knee osteoarthritis ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html","name":"Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields","description":"Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy may improve physical function in knee osteoarthritis but does not significantly reduce pain or stiffness.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s160.html#study","name":"Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields","headline":"Evidence: pulsed electromagnetic fields","datePublished":"2019","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Rehabil Med"},"identifier":"PMID:31583420","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31583420/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2613","abstract":"Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy may improve physical function in knee osteoarthritis but does not significantly reduce pain or stiffness."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [PEMF Therapy Mat](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/160.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain and Physical Function in…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d32251502.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).