Impact of low frequency pulsed magnetic fields on pain intensity, quality of life and sleep disturbances in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to assess whether a low frequency magnetic field can influence pain intensity, quality of life and sleep, and glycaemic control in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients were randomized into two groups: the study group comprised 32 patients exposed to a low frequency magnetic field, average pain duration 23 months; the control group included 29 patients who received sham exposure, average pain duration 28 months. Patients were exposed for three weeks, 20 min a day, five days a week. The magnetic field generator was a Viofor JPS device (Med & Life, Komorow, Poland). All subjects filled out the following questionnaires five times (at the beginning and after one, two, three and five weeks): SFMPQ-VAS (pain evaluation), EuroQol EQ-5D and MOS Sleep Scale. HbA(1c) was evaluated at baseline and after five weeks.


RESULTS
Significant reductions in pain intensity were seen in both the study group (visual analogue scale [VAS] value of 73 mm at baseline versus 33 mm after three weeks) and controls (VAS 69 mm at baseline versus 41 mm after three weeks). The extent of pain reduction did not differ significantly between the groups at any time. Also, both groups had similar improvements in EuroQol, MOS and HbA(1c) values.


CONCLUSIONS
Genuine magnetic field exposure has no advantage over sham exposure in reducing pain intensity, improving quality of life, and decreasing sleep disturbances and HbA(1c).
Wróbel
M P
MP
Diabetological Unit of the Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetology and Nephrology, Medical University of Silesia, ul. 3 maja 13/15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
Szymborska-Kajanek
A
A
Wystrychowski
G
G
Biniszkiewicz
T
T
Sieroń-Stołtny
K
K
Sieroń
A
A
Pierzchała
K
K
Grzeszczak
W
W
Strojek
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires