Riassunto dello studio

Sixty-five patients with Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to receive active pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy plus eccentric exercise (n=33) or sham PEMF therapy plus eccentric exercise (n=32). The primary outcome of interest was the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) score. Secondary outcomes included numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) scores, tendon neovascularity measured by the Öhberg score, and time spent on sports per week. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks posttreatment. Overall, the results of the study revealed that while both groups showed significant improvements in VISA-A scores, NPRS scores, and tendon neovascularity over time, there were no significant differences between the PEMF and sham groups in any measured outcomes. This suggests that PEMF therapy does not provide additional benefits beyond eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy.