The Possible Role of Electrical Stimulation in Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review

Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Jan 8;59(1):121. doi: 10.3390/medicina59010121.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is mainly a geriatric disease with a high incidence, and the resulting spinal fractures and hip fractures cause great harm to patients. Anti-osteoporosis drugs are the main treatment for osteoporosis currently, but these drugs have potential clinical limitations and side effects, so the development of new therapies is of great significance to patients with osteoporosis. Electrical stimulation therapy mainly includes pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), direct current (DC), and capacitive coupling (CC). Meanwhile, electrical stimulation therapy is clinically convenient without side effects. In recent years, many researchers have explored the use of electrical stimulation therapy for osteoporosis. Based on this, the role of electrical stimulation therapy in osteoporosis was summarized. In the future, electrical stimulation might become a new treatment for osteoporosis.

Keywords: electrical stimulation; osteoporosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Electric Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy* / adverse effects
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy* / methods
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Field Therapy* / methods
  • Osteoporosis* / etiology
  • Osteoporosis* / therapy