Short-term Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a potential nonoperative treatment for Achilles tendinopathy, but the current published literature on its effects is sparse. Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PEMF therapy and eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 65 participants met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to either the active PEMF group (n = 33) or the sham group (n = 32). The PEMF group received biweekly PEMF therapy (10 minutes per session) for 8 weeks, plus eccentric exercise for 12 weeks. The sham group received the same eccentric exercise for 12 weeks minus active PEMF exposure. The primary outcome was the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) score, tendon neovascularity, and total time spent on sports per week. A physical therapist assessed all outcomes at baseline and then 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the commencement of the PEMF treatment. The level of tendon neovascularity was determined by the & Ouml;hberg score (range, 0-3). Results: VISA-A scores improved significantly from baseline to 12 weeks posttreatment in both the PEMF group (from 57.9 to 71.7) and the sham group (from 55.1 to 66.8) (P < .001 for both), with no significant difference in scores between treatment groups throughout the 12 weeks (P = .527). NPRS scores during sports also improved significantly from baseline to 12 weeks for the PEMF group (from 6.05 to 2.95) and the sham group (from 6.45 to 3.85) (P < .001), with no group differences (P = .346). Conclusion: PEMF therapy, in addition to eccentric exercise, did not improve outcome scores or tendon neovascularity compared with eccentric exercise alone in participants with Achilles tendinopathy. Registration: NCT05316961 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).