TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on fatigue, walking performance, depression, and quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial JO - Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy T2 - AU - Granja-Domínguez,Anabel AU - Hochsprung,Anja AU - Luque-Moreno,Carlos AU - Magni,Eleonora AU - Escudero-Uribe,Shahid AU - Heredia-Camacho,Beatriz AU - Izquierdo-Ayuso,Guillermo AU - Heredia-Rizo,Alberto Marcos SN - 14133555 M3 - 10.1016/j.bjpt.2022.100449 DO - 10.1016/j.bjpt.2022.100449 UR - http://www.rbf-bjpt.org.br/en-effects-pulsed-electromagnetic-field-therapy-articulo-S1413355522000570 AB - BackgroundMultiple sclerosis has a great disability burden. Management of the disease is complex, and patients often seek new conservative approaches. ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, compared to placebo, on the level of fatigue, walking performance, symptoms of depression, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). MethodsForty-four adults with RRMS and minimal to significant disability were randomly assigned to a 4-week protocol using a PEMF or a placebo whole-body mat. The PEMF group were initially treated with 15Hz frequency, gradually increased to 30Hz (intensity between 25-35µT). The primary outcome was fatigue, assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Secondary measures included walking function (GAITRite system and Timed 25-Foot Walk test), the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline, after intervention, and at 3-months post-intervention (follow-up). ResultsThere were no differences between groups for changes in fatigue symptoms from baseline to end of intervention (mean and 95% confidence interval FSS: -0.6, 95%CI: -1.3, 0.1; MFIS: -5.4, 95% CI: -15.1, 4.4) or at follow-up (FSS: -0.6, 95% CI: -1.4, 0.2; MFIS: -2.1, 95% CI: -10.9, 6.8). Similarly, both groups did not differ for any of the secondary outcomes at post-intervention or follow-up. ConclusionsLow-frequency PEMF therapy is no more effective than placebo to produce changes in fatigue, gait performance, severity of depression, and QOL in people with RRMS and minimal to significant disability. ER -