Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Autonomic Function in Patients With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Previously it has been demonstrated that exposing the heart to electromagnetic field during exercise stress test improves the recovery following the stress test. This is explained by the effect of the electromagnetic field on the sympathetic activity of the heart. In the present study we would like to further investigate the effects of electromagnetic field on autonomic nervous system function in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain that usually have high sympathetic activity. Each patient will be exposed to 20 minutes of electromagnetic field during which the autonomic nervous system function will be measured. In addition, patient tolerability to the exposed magnetic field will be investigated. We assume that short exposure to electromagnetic field would result in decreased sympathetic activity and therefore, on the long run, could be suggested as a therapeutic tool for such patients.

Detailed Description
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Adult patients suffering from chronic muscoloskeletal pain will be recruited to this study during their weekly visits to the Department for Complementary Medicine at Sheba Medical Center. Patient will be exposed to 20 minutes of weak intensity and low frequency electromagnetic field while seated, during which heart rate variability measures will be recorded. In addition, patient tolerability to the exposed electromagnetic field will be investigated, including VAS score (pain score). This is a double blind placebo-control study by which neither the patients nor the physicians know which treatment is given to the patients. The study code will be open only at the end of the trial.

Official Title
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Pilot Study to Investigate Autonomic Function in Patients With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

Conditions
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Chronic Musculo-skeletal Pain

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Chronic musculoskeletal pain Exclusion Criteria: Implantable defibrillator Implantable pacemaker Active cancer Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 35 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Chronic musculoskeletal pain<br>Chronic musculoskeletal pain - treated with electromagnetic field Chronic musculoskeletal pain - placebo | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reduced heart rate variability measures associated with sympathetic activity | Heart rate variability will be measured at baseline, prior to exposure to PEMF, and continuously for 20 minutes during exposure to PEMF, and 5 minute thereafter, after removal of the PEMF. Changes in heart rate variability (increase in high frequency and decrease in low frequency spectra) between exposure to PEMF and baseline will be evaluated. We hypothesize that heart rate variability measures reflecting sympathetic activity (low frequency spectra) will be reduced during exposure to PEMF with consequence increase in parasympathetic autonomic activity (high frequency spectra). | By the end of the experiment: following 20 minutes of PEMF exposure. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reduced VAS score | Since VAS is visual analogue scale pain score that reflects sympathetic activity we expect to monitor a reduced score following exposure to PEMF, which should be in correlation with increased parasympathetic activity (as measured by heart rate variability measures). | Immediately at the end of the experiment: following 20 minutes of PEMF exposure. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Electromagnetic field, VAS score, Heart Rate Variability