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Objective: To evaluate the effects of high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields on unspecific back pain. Methods: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial with repeated measurements was performed. The study included 5 visits (V0 to V4) with 3 interventions during V1, V2 and V3. Sixty-one patients aged between 18 and 80 years with unspecific back pain (acute inflammatory diseases and specific causes were reasons for exclusion) were included. The treatment group (n = 31) received 1–2 pulses/s, with an intensity of 50 mT, and an electric field strength of at least 20 V/m on 3 consecutive weekdays for 10 min each time. The control group (n = 30) received a comparable sham therapy. Pain intensity (visual analogue scale), local oxyhaemoglobin saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, and perfusion index were evaluated before (b) and after (a) V1 and V3 interventions. Change in visual analogue scale for V1 (ChangeV1a-b) and V3 (ChangeV3a-b), and ChangeData between V3a and V1b (ChangeV3a–V1b) for the remaining data were calculated (results were mean (standard deviation) (95% confidence interval; 95% CI)). Results: Concerning the visual analogue scale: (i) compared with the control group, the treatment group had higher ChangeV1a–b (–1.25 (1.76) (95% CI –1.91 to –0.59) vs –2.69 (1.74) (95% CI –3.33 to –2.06), respectively), and comparable Change V3a–b (–0.86 (1.34) (95% CI –1.36 to –0.36) vs –1.37 (1.03) (95% CI –1.75 to 0.99), respectively); and (ii) there was a significant marked decrease in Change V3a–1b in the treatment group compared with the control group (–5.15 (1.56) (95% CI –5.72 to –4.57) vs –2.58 (1.68) (95% CI –3.21 to –1.96), p = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant ChangeV3a–V1b in local oxyhaemoglobin saturation, heart rate, blood pressure or perfusion index between the 2 groups and for the same group (before vs after). Conclusion: Non-thermal, non-invasive electromagnetic induction therapy had a significant and rapid influence on unspecific back pain in the treatment group. LAY ABSTRACT Back pain is a health disorder of outstanding epidemiological, medical, and health economic importance. In the case of unspecific back pain, there is no clear specific cause. Electrotherapy is a physical therapy procedure using electric current for therapeutic purposes. Electromagnetic induction can influence many biological processes that are important for therapeutic interventions. A relatively new method is the use of non-invasive, very short, high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields. Based on the literature, observations, and guidelines available up to February 2023, therapeutically successful use of electromagnetic induction appears possible, particularly in the case of high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields with high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields are therefore the logical therapeutic extension of high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields. This study was designed to test the theory that high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields can reduce unspecific back-pain. The application of electromagnetic induction, short high-frequency and high-energy, but non-thermal, electromagnetic pulses with a magnetic flux density of approximately 50–100 mT was found to reduce unspecific back-pain in the treatment area of the treatment group.

A few studies have indicated that males and females respond differently to whole-body vibration (WBV) training. However, the existing insights are still insufficient and they cannot be transferred to sex-specific practice planning. To evaluate the effect of 5-week WBV training on neuromuscular [countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ)] and cardiovascular [heart rate and blood pressure] data, taking into account sex-specific effects. This is a comparative experimental study including 96 healthy adults, divided into two groups: a WBV group (25 females and 24 males) and a control group (27 females and 20 males). The participants attended nine to ten training sessions (twice a week for 5 weeks), each lasting approximately 30 min. Both groups performed the same exercise routine on the vibration training device. For the WBV group, the training device was vibrating during the whole training session, including the breaks. For the control group, it was turned off. Maximum jump height (H, cm) and maximum relative power (MRP, kW/kg) were noted during CMJ and SJ performed on a force plate. Resting (sitting) heart rate (bpm) and blood pressure (mmHg) were measured twice, before and after the intervention. For each parameter, ∆data (= before – after) was calculated. Interactive effects of sex (2) vs group (2) vs session (2) were noted only in males and they only concerned ∆SJMPR and ∆CMJH: compared to the control group, the WBV group had better ∆SJMPR (1.39 ± 3.05 vs -2.69 ± 4.49 kW/kg, respectively) and ∆CMJH (0.50 ± 6.14 vs -4.42 ± 5.80 cm, respectively). No sex-specific effect of WBV on neuromuscular (CMJ and SJ) or cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) data was found.