Effects of Additional High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (HI-PEMF) Therapy on Pain and Physical Function After Total Hip Replacement

Effects of Additional High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (HI-PEMF) Therapy on Pain and Physical Function After Total Hip Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to verify whether high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic fields (HI-PEMF) can be effectively applied to postoperative total hip arthroplasty patients. Using pain and function as the primary assessment indicators, the study explores the effects of HI-PEMF on postoperative total hip arthroplasty to confirm its effectiveness in relieving pain and improving daily living functions. Simultaneously, it combines physical therapy with exercise training to simulate a clinical environment, comprehensively understanding the feasibility of future clinical applications of magnetic field therapy. It is hoped that by exploring the potential benefits of magnetic field intervention in improving the postoperative condition of these high-needs patients, new clinical evidence can be provided for postoperative management.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA); Magnetotherapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Post Operative exercise; Device: High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field（HI-PEMF)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Tsang-Ming (倉銘) Chang (張); Phone Number: 886-905657069; Email: nick0223.chang@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

A. Age 18 years or older.

B. Patients who have undergone primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty due to hip osteoarthritis.

C. Patients who, after postoperative evaluation by their surgeon, are advised to bear full weight within their tolerance.

Exclusion Criteria:

A. Patients who have not undergone primary hip arthroplasty.

B. Patients who are advised by their doctor to maintain non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing on the affected or unaffected side.

C. History of neurological deficits (e.g., sensory abnormalities, stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis).

D. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) < 24 (mild cognitive impairment).

E. Berger's Balance Scale (BBS) < 40 (higher risk of falls).

F. Sensory abnormalities.

G. Before or after this exercise training, if pain in other areas (e.g., degenerative pain in the knee or spine) prevents movement, or if the hip joint still experiences pain on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 4 or higher even after taking pain medication.

H. Known malignancy.

I. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or substance addiction (e.g., alcohol, drug).

J. Pregnant woman.

K. Individuals with implanted stents, pacemakers, or those requiring treatment for arrhythmia.

L. Wearing a hearing aid.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Arm 2 :exercise	Other: Post Operative exercise; Post operative program exercise for THR
Experimental: Arm 1:HI-PEMF; HI-PEMF	Other: Post Operative exercise; Post operative program exercise for THR; Device: High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field（HI-PEMF); High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (HI-PEMF) is a non-invasive, contactless technology delivering strong magnetic pulses (up to 3 T or more) to biological tissue. It serves as a superior alternative to traditional electropermeabilization by altering cell membrane permeability.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)	This scale can measure THR patient pain and function.The standard WOMAC scale (using a 0-4 Likert scale for each of the 24 questions) ranges from 0 to 96.	1-month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 28, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 27, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 10, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 202601236DIND

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No