Bemer Therapy with Physiotherapy with Musculoskeletal Issues

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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
In contrast to the known magnetic field wave patterns that can easily be described by mathematical formulae, the BEMER therapy developed by J. Klopp essentially applies the specifically developed BEMER signal patterns. As a result, a significant increase in the vasomotion of microvessels, arteriovenous pO2 difference, number of open capillaries, arteriolar and venular flow volume, and flow rate of red blood cells is observed in a specific microcirculatory area. This change in the microcirculation status was demonstrated by combining high-resolution intravital microscopy, computer image processing, and measurement of microflow rate using laser reflection spectroscopy [8, 9]. BEMER devices generate a maximum magnetic induction of 100–150 𝜇T; for compari- son, the magnetic field of Earth in Budapest is approximately 47-48𝜇T.
Treatment time is usually 20 minutes a day (depending on the applicator) for 3-4 weeks depending on the diagnosis. Improvement of microcirculation and reducing fatigue are the clinical applications that have so far been confirmed.
Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of adjuvant BEMER therapy on pain, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with knee arthrosis and chronic low back pain. The primary outcomes were to assess the effect of BEMER therapy on knee and low back pain caused by degenerative changes. The secondary outcomes were to evaluate the adverse effects and to record the changes in fatigue and to investigate the effect on quality of life.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design. This is a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind follow-up study. A total of 50 patients with chronic low back pain and 50 patients with knee arthrosis were enrolled in this study who had been hospitalized for 3 weeks at the Rheumatologic Rehabilitation Department of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God.
2.1.1. Ethics. The patients signed an Informed Consent Form before the study. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee.
2.1.2. Procedure. In addition to complex standard physio- therapy, half of the patients also received additional BEMER therapy, while the other half received additional placebo BEMER therapy; patients could not tell the placebo treatment from the real treatment. Randomisation was conducted by an independent person (by means of drawing lots). During this study, neither the study doctor nor patients or study assistants knew the treatment given. Unblinding took place only after study completion.
2.1.3. Participations. Demographics: average age was 67.29 years ± 5.44 years (males) and 66.7 years ± 7.73 years (females) in patients with chronic low back pain and 67.11 years ± 8.8 years (males) and 65.3 years ± 7.46 years (females) in patients with osteoarthritis of knee; with 2 and 3 exceptions, all patients with chronic lower back pain and with osteoarthritis
of knee, respectively, were females. There were no differences in gender and age between the treatment and placebo group.
Inclusion Criteria for Patients with Low Back Pain. These include
(i) patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain with nonseverely reduced mobility;
(ii) males and females of 20 to 80 years of age;
(iii) nonspecific low back pain for at least 12 weeks;
(iv) palpable tenderness of the paravertebral muscles and/or painful limited mobility of the lumbar spine;
(v) low back pain VAS (visual analogue scale) score of at least 30 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale during exercise;
(vi) the patients have not received systemic or local steroid therapy or physical therapy or balneotherapy, within 2 months prior to the study; physiotherapy was allowed.
Exclusion Criteria for Patients with Low Back Pain. These include
(i) acute low back pain;
(ii) organic neurological deficit associated with lower back pain;
(iii) the underlying cause is likely to be vertebral compres- sion fracture caused by osteoporosis or other factors;
(iv) underlying malignancy;
(v) pain caused by inflammatory spine conditions;
(vi) spondylolisthesis (grade 2 or higher); (vii) pregnancy.
Inclusion Criteria for Patients with Osteoarthritis of Knee. These include
(i) males and females of 30 to 80 years of age with mild or moderate knee arthrosis reporting knee pain characteristic of arthrosis for at least 3 months;
(ii) diagnosis of knee arthrosis confirmed by imaging meeting ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria [10].
Exclusion Criteria for Patients with Osteoarthritis of Knee. These include
(i) inflammatory rheumatic conditions; (ii) palpable effusion in the knee;
(iii) knee injury within 6 months prior to the study;
(iv) intra-articular steroid within 1 month prior to the study;
(v) intra-articular hyaluronic acid within 6 months prior to the study;
(vi) patients with femoral neuralgia or radiculopathy;