The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone loss in spinal cord injured patients

Abstract

Objective To observe any therapeutic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on bone loss in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.Methods Fifty-five patients with SCI were divided into two groups randomly.The twenty-six patients in the control group (group B) were given only routine rehabilitation treatment; the twenty-six patients in the treatment group (group A) received PEMF therapy in addition.Results After 12 weeks of treatment,the average bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur (including total,neck,Wards,inter,troch) in group A was significantly higher than in group B.The levels of bone-gamma-carboxyglutamic acid containing protein (BGP) and 1,25 (OH)2D3 in group A increased significantly,while they decreased in group B.Urine-pyridinium/crealinine (U-Pyd/Cr) levels in group A decreased significantly,while in group B they were higher than before.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups.Conclusion PEMF treatment can effectively retard bone loss in SCI patients.It has good preventive and curative effects on osteoporosis after SCI. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Bone loss; Pulsed electromagnetic fields; Osteoporosis