Spinal Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Chronic Back Pain: A Feasibility Study In Veterans

Abstract

Aim: Chronic low back pain represents a significant societal problem leading to increased healthcare costs and quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of non-invasive spinal electromagnetic simulation (SEMS) to treat nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: A single-site prospective study was conducted to evaluate SEMS in reducing pain and improving disability. A total of 17 patients received SEMS two to three sessions a week. The Numeric Rating Scale and the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire were used to assess pain and disability. Results: Participants receiving SEMS exhibited statistically significant reductions in pain and disability. Conclusion: Current results suggest that non-invasive SEMS can be an effective treatment in reducing pain and improving disability associated with CLBP.

Keywords: :

• chronic low back pain
• low back pain
• peripheral magnetic stimulation
• pain management
• repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation
• spinal electromagnetic stimulation
• transcutaneous magnetic stimulation
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contributions of the study participants, and the PM&R Clinic, Research & Development, and the Medical Center's Laboratory Service staff.

Financial disclosure

Funding support was obtained from Merit Review Funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VLA) and the New York State SCI Research Board (VLA). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, stock ownership or options and expert testimony.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human experimental investigations.

In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.