To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy for symptom and pain management in women with non-bladder centric interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
Women with non-bladder centric IC/BPS and a numeric rating scale score for pelvic pain ≥ 6 underwent twice-daily 8-minute full body PEMF therapy sessions for 4 weeks. The primary outcome metric was a reduction in pelvic pain score ≥ 2 points. A 7-day voiding diary (collected at baseline and conclusion), three validated symptom scores, and the Short Form-36 Quality of Life questionnaire (completed at baseline, conclusion of treatment, and 8-week follow-up), were used to assess secondary outcomes. Treatment effects were analyzed via Wilcoxon-signed rank test; p<0.05 was considered significant.
The 4-week treatment protocol was completed by 8 of 10 enrolled patients, and 7/8 (87.5%) had a significant reduction in pelvic pain (-3.0 points, p=0.011) after 4 weeks. There was also a significant decrease in scores on all validated IC/BPS questionnaires, daily number of voids, and nocturia symptom score (p<0.05). Significant increases in several quality-of-life questionnaire sub-scores were also identified at 4 weeks (p<0.05). At 8-week post-therapy, the positive effects were somewhat attenuated, yet 4/8 patients (50%) continued to have significant pain reduction (p=0.047). No adverse events or side effects were reported.
Whole body pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is an alternative treatment option for women with chronic bladder pain syndrome that warrants investigation through comparative trials.
Urology. 2022 May 27 [Epub ahead of print]
Dylan T Wolff, Christina Ross, Peyton Lee, Gopal Badlani, Catherine A Matthews, Robert J Evans, Stephen J Walker
Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA., Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA., Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA., Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. Electronic address: .