PEMF & Hako-Med Studies on Osteoarthritis
PEMF Studies
Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Osteoarthritis (2019)
Published: 2019 (exact date not specified)
Source: ScienceDirect (www.sciencedirect.com)
Details: Review discussing PEMF's role in preventing OA progression. PEMF stimulates chondrocyte proliferation, protects against cartilage degradation, and prevents subchondral bone loss. The study highlights PEMF's protective effects on joint tissues but notes the need for further research to standardize protocols.
Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, and Physical Function in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis (2019)
Published: October 3, 2019
Source: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine (www.medicaljournals.se)
Details: Analyzed five studies with 301 patients. PEMF significantly reduced WOMAC function scores (WMD = −5.28, 95% CI −9.45 to −1.11, p = 0.01) compared to placebo, with no significant heterogeneity. Pain and stiffness also improved, supporting PEMF's efficacy for knee OA symptom management.
Current Evidence Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review (2021)
Published: 2021 (exact date not specified)
Source: MDPI (www.mdpi.com)
Details: Reviewed 17 studies with 1,197 patients, primarily on knee OA. PEMF reduced pain by 60% (VAS) and improved WOMAC scores by 42%. Treatment durations varied (15–90 days), with diverse PEMF devices. Secondary outcomes included better quality of life and reduced medication use. Variability in protocols calls for standardized research.
Good Results of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field in Osteoarthritis Treatment in Several Studies (2022)
Published: May 12, 2022
Source: OAFI Osteoarthritis Foundation International (www.oafifoundation.com)
Details: Summarizes studies, including a 2012 RCT (Seo Ryang We et al.) with ~1,000 patients showing significant knee OA improvement with PEMF. A 2014 study (Veronesi et al.) found increased cartilage thickness. Highlights PEMF’s anti-inflammatory effects and pain reduction.
How Can PEMF Therapy Help with Arthritis? (2023)
Published: March 31, 2023
Source: Health Energies Vaughan (www.healthenergiesvaughan.com)
Details: Cites a 2015 German study using 4–12 Hz PEMF for knee OA, showing reduced pain and disability with no side effects. A 2009 Indian study found low-frequency PEMF alleviated pain, improved anti-inflammatory action, and aided bone remodeling. Suggests 4–8 weeks of treatment for optimal results.
Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis with Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study (2005)
Published: July 2005
Source: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (www.oarsijournal.com)
Details: RCT with 83 patients (42 PEMF, 41 placebo) over 6 weeks. PEMF group showed significant improvements in WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and activities of daily living (ADL). No serious adverse effects reported.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Ameliorates the Progression of Osteoarthritis via the Sirt1/NF-κB Pathway (2025)
Published: February 13, 2025
Source: Arthritis Research & Therapy (arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com)
Details: Studied PEMF’s anti-inflammatory effects in human chondrocytes and OA mice. PEMF suppressed IL-1β-induced inflammation via the Sirt1/NF-κB pathway, reducing cartilage degradation. In vivo, PEMF improved cartilage homeostasis and alleviated OA in mice.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Management of Osteoarthritis-Related Pain, Stiffness, and Physical Function: Clinical Experience (2016)
Published: 2016 (exact date not specified)
Source: NCBI (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Details: Studied 28 elderly patients with bilateral knee OA. PEMF (30-minute sessions, 3 times/week for 6 weeks) significantly improved VAS and WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and function at 3-month follow-up compared to untreated control knees.
Notes:
Recent studies (e.g., 2024, 2025) suggest mechanisms like anti-inflammatory effects via Sirt1/NF-κB pathways and cartilage repair, but long-term efficacy and optimal parameters require further research.
Hako-Med Studies
Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy for Osteoarthritis: Clinical Study at Italian Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2005)
Published: October 6, 2005
Source: BioSpace (www.biospace.com)
Details: A clinical study presented at the Italian Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation congress involved 200 subjects with OA treated with Hako-Med’s patented Horizontal Therapy (ProElec DT 2000). After approximately 10 treatments, 100% of subjects discontinued pain medications. Follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months showed a significant percentage of subjects remained off medications, indicating long-term pain relief. The study highlighted HT’s non-invasive nature and lack of negative side effects, positioning it as a unique treatment for OA compared to other options.
Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration and Corticosteroid Injection Compared to Horizontal Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis with Baker’s Cyst (2012)
Published: 2012
Source: European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2012;48:561-7)
Details: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) by Di Sante et al. compared Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy to ultrasound-guided aspiration and corticosteroid injection in patients with knee OA complicated by Baker’s cyst. After two weeks, the HT group showed significantly less joint stiffness and disability compared to the corticosteroid group. The study suggests HT’s efficacy in reducing symptoms and improving function in knee OA.
Treatment of Gonarthrosis with Balneo and Horizontal Therapy (2012)
Published: 2012
Source: MD-Medical Data (MD-Medical Data. 2012;4(1):029-032)
Details: Study by Joki? et al. evaluated Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy combined with balneotherapy for knee OA (gonarthrosis). The treatment significantly reduced pain and improved joint function. Additionally, 89.2% of cases showed a visible decrease in joint swelling, attributed to HT’s ability to enhance circulation and stimulate tissue-healing enzymes.
Gonarthrosis: Treatment with Horizontal Therapy Electrotherapy (Multicenter Study, 2006)
Published: 2006
Source: European Journal of Physical Medicine (Eur Med Phys. 2006;42(Suppl. 1 to No.2):669-72)
Details: Multicenter study by Saggini et al. investigated Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy for knee OA (gonarthrosis). The therapy significantly reduced pain and improved range of motion, with effects attributed to HT’s stimulation of biochemical and bioelectrical cellular processes, promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
Additional Notes:
Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy is described as a unique electrotherapy that simultaneously targets bioelectrical (e.g., nerve stimulation) and biochemical (e.g., enzyme release for tissue repair) processes, unlike traditional electrotherapies like TENS or interferential therapy.
The therapy is noted for its ability to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in OA, particularly knee OA, by improving circulation, lymphatic flow, and cellular repair mechanisms.
No studies reported significant adverse effects, and HT is highlighted as a non-invasive, non-pharmacological option for OA management.
The 2005 study’s long-term follow-up data (up to one year) is particularly notable, as it suggests sustained benefits, which is rare among non-surgical OA treatments.
Conclusion
PEMF and Hako-Med therapies, either individually or in combination, can offer a new dimension of relief for those plagued by knee pain due to arthritis or bone-on-bone discomfort. It's crucial to remember that these therapies are part of a broader spectrum of interventions and should be approached in consultation with healthcare professionals versed in their nuances.