NCT07196956

Effect of Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Balance and Gait in Paraparetic Patients

The Role of Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Improving Perturbation of Balance and Gait Disorders in Paraparetic Patients

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: MTI University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 15 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will investigate whether adding electromagnetic field therapy (EMT) to a standard physical therapy program is more effective than physical therapy alone for improving balance and walking ability in paraparetic patients. Thirty patients with paraparesis (weakness in the lower limbs) due to spinal cord lesions between levels T6 and T12 will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive a 45-minute physical therapy session, three times per week for two months. The physical therapy program will include stretching, strengthening, balance, and gait training exercises. The key difference will be that one group (Group II) will also receive active low-frequency (0.5 Hz) electromagnetic therapy applied to their spine during their sessions, while the other group (Group I) will receive a placebo (inactive) EMT device. Patients will be assessed before and after the 2-month treatment period. The assessments will measure muscle spasticity (using the Modified Ashworth Scale), balance (using the Biodex Balance System), and detailed gait parameters like step length, stride length, and base of support (using a 3D motion analysis system

Conditions

• Paraparesis
• Gait Disorders, Neurologic
• Postural Balance Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Therapy (0.5 Hz)	Active electromagnetic field therapy delivered via a PMT Quattro PRO device (Italy, 2002). Settings: 0.5 Hz frequency, 30 mA intensity, applied for 20 minutes per session to the spinal lesion level (T6-T12) while patient is prone. Followed by 10-minute rest. Administered three times per week for 2 months, in conjunction with a standardized 45-minute physical therapy program (stretching, strengthening, balance, and gait training).
DEVICE	Placebo Electromagnetic Field Therapy	identical-appearing electromagnetic therapy device with no active field output (placebo/sham). Applied for 20 minutes per session to the spinal lesion level (T6-T12) while patient is prone. Followed by 10-minute rest. Administered three times per week for 2 months, in conjunction with the identical standardized 45-minute physical therapy program (stretching, strengthening, balance, and gait training) as the active EMT group.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-11
• Primary completion: 2026-02-28
• Completion: 2026-03-01
• First posted: 2025-09-29
• Last updated: 2026-01-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Saudi Arabia