Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 27, 2026
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Targeted Muscle Reconditioning with HIFEM Technology for Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Study on Pain, Function, and
1Royal Spine Surgery, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
Background Context:
Low back pain (LBP) affects over 619 million people globally and is the leading cause of disability. Most cases are non-specific and linked to muscle impairment, yet effective, non-invasive treatments remain limited.
Purpose:
To evaluate the impact of back-targeted electromagnetic muscle stimulation (HIFEM) therapy on pain, disability, and function in patients with LBP.
Design:
Uncontrolled retrospective cohort study.
Patients And Methods:
Patients (n=25; 72% female) with LBP who received a study device treatment were 33-76 years old. Because treatment was tailored to individual needs, many patients received therapies to other body regions. Medical records of patients who received at least one study device treatment on low back between April 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025 and completed Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the last treatment were analyzed, with a 1-month (±14 days) interval between baseline and post-treatment assessments.
Outcome Measures:
The outcome measures included VAS, Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and iliopsoas muscle strength measurements.
Results:
Significant absolute and percentage reductions were observed in VAS (mean change: -5.2 points; -75.7%, 95% CI [-83.4, -63.1]), PDQ (-49.3 points; -66.1%, 95% CI [55.1, 80.9]), and ODI (-11.9 points; -61.0%, 95% CI [44.7, 78.7]) scores (all p < 0.0001). The reductions in VAS, PDQ and ODI scores surpassed established minimal clinically important differences (MCID). Iliopsoas muscle strength improved by 124.8% post-treatment in the subgroup treated for the core.
Conclusion:
HIFEM therapy was associated with a significant reduction of pain, disability, and the impact of LBP on daily functioning while improving core muscle strength, offering a non-invasive option for managing LBP.
