A total of 225 patients with diabetic neuropathic pain participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study (Weintraub et al., 2009) which took place in 16 academic and clinical sites located across 13 different countries around the world.

This scientific work published in the official journal of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine was conducted on 225 patients suffering with symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The aim of the study was to determine whether repetitive and cumulative exposure of painful feet to low-frequency pulsed magnetic therapy with 8-25 Hz frequencies would alleviate neuropathic pain, affect sleep quality and promote nerve regeneration.

This large-scale study eventually confirmed that pulsed magnetic field therapy significantly increased the density of epidermal nerve fibers (based on skin biopsy in three standard areas of the lower limb).

The team of scientists therefore suggested further more complex testing of low-frequency pulsed magnetic therapy with higher intensities and longer duration of therapeutic applications. The reason forthis proposal was, among other things, the fact that patients experienced overall improvement and reduction of itching in the feet.

Reference: Weintraub, M. I. et al. (2009) Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields to Reduce Diabetic Neuropathic Pain and Stimulate Neuronal Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 90 (7), 1102–1109.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields to reduce diabetic neuropathic pain and stimulate neuronal repair