Efficacy of Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation Therapy in Musculoskeletal Pain Management: A Systematic Review of
Makbule Karcı1, Neslişah Gün2, Rüstem Mustafaoğlu3
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Science, Istanbul Aydın University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Magnetic field therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and simple method used to directly treat various diseases and pathologies. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence for the efficacy of bio-electro-magnetic-energy-regulation (BEMER), a magnetic field therapy, in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. A database search was conducted using the following resources: PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and WoS. The following search strategy was used and adapted for each database: ("pain") AND ("BEMER" OR "BEMER therapy" OR "PEMF" OR "bio-electromagnetic energy regulation" OR "pulsed electromagnetic field" OR "vascular therapy"), in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Randomized controlled trials involving pain assessment in musculoskeletal pathologies, written in English, published between 1 January 1990 and 30 July 2023 were included; cell, animal, and in vitro studies, reviews, and conference proceedings were excluded. The PEDro scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Seven randomized controlled trials were included. Across the included studies, some reductions in pain were reported after BEMER therapy; however, only one of four sham-controlled studies found BEMER to be superior to sham treatment. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in treatment protocols. Overall, the current evidence does not demonstrate that BEMER therapy is more effective than sham/placebo in reducing musculoskeletal pain. Standardized, high-quality trials are needed to clarify whether BEMER has any specific treatment effect beyond placebo. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
