OBJECTIVETo understand the effects of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on chronic bony pain, bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in the patients of osteoporosis.

DATA SOURCESUsing the key words "pulsed electromagnetic fields" and "osteoporosis", we searched the PubMed for related studies published in English from January 1996 to December 2007. We also searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for studies published in Chinese from January 1996 to December 2007.

STUDY SELECTION

INCLUSION CRITERIA(1) all articles which referred to the effects of low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields on osteoporosis either in primary osteoporosis or secondary osteoporosis; (2) either observational studies or randomized controlled studies.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA(1) articles on experimental studies about osteoporosis; (2) repetitive studies; (3) case reports; (4) meta analysis.

RESULTSTotally 111 related articles were collected, 101 of them were published in Chinese, 10 were in English. Thirty-four were included and the remaining 84 were excluded.

CONCLUSIONSLow-frequency PEMFs relieves the pain of primary osteoporosis quickly and efficiently, enhances bone formation and increases BMD of secondary osteoporosis. But the effects of PEMFs on bone mineral density of primary osteoporosis and bone resorption were controversial.