Short-term effect of low-intensity, pulsed, electromagnetic fields on gait characteristics in older adults with low bone mineral density: a pilot randomized-controlled trial.

AIM: To evaluate the short-term effects of a 10-min exposure to low-intensity, pulsed, electromagnetic fields (PEF) on gait characteristics in older adults with low bone mineral density.

METHODS: In a single-center, double-blind, randomized-controlled trial, community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 70 years were randomized (3:2 ratio) to receive a 10-min treatment with PEF (mean intensity 1.5 mW) or placebo. The following gait parameters were assessed at baseline and just after the intervention/placebo with the GAITRite Portable Walkway system: self-selected gait speed (cm/s), stride length (cm), support base (cm) and double support phase (s).

RESULTS: In the intervention group (25 patients), both self-selected gait speed and stride length increased significantly from baseline, whereas the double support phase decreased. In the placebo group, all gait parameters except for support base remained unchanged. The mean percent increase (± standard deviation) of self-selected gait speed was significantly (P = 0.010) greater in the intervention group (20.1 ± 15.6) compared with the placebo group (10.5 ± 13.1), whereas no significant difference in the mean percent variation of the other parameters was found between the two groups. During the intervention, no adverse event was observed. A similar proportion of patients in the two groups reported one fall in the 30 days after the intervention/placebo.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized-controlled trial showing the potential beneficial effects of PEF on gait characteristics in older adults. Further phase III randomized trials are warranted to establish their potential benefits (e.g. fall prevention) on fall-related health outcomes in elderly patients.