Welcome to another post in the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest series! Each week, we bring you fascinating research to inspire curiosity and deepen your understanding of how cutting-edge technologies can improve fitness and recovery.

Today, we’re exploring a study that investigates the effects of Personal Low-Frequency Stimulation (PLS) devices on chronic muscle pain, also known as myalgia.

(Scroll to the end of each post to find a link to the original study, often with full PDFs—perfect for building your research collection.)

Research Title

Effects of Personal Low-Frequency Stimulation Device on Myalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Who Conducted This Research and Where?

• Researchers: Yong-Soon Yoon, Myoung-Hwan Ko, Il-Young Cho, and others.
• Institutions:
  • Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Korea.
  • Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
  • Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
• Location: Korea
• Reputation: These are prestigious institutions with significant contributions to health and rehabilitation sciences.

What Was This Research About?

This study focused on testing a Personal Low-Frequency Stimulation (PLS) device as a pain relief tool for people suffering from chronic muscle pain in areas like the neck, shoulder, back, and waist.

It compared the effectiveness of PLS with conventional physical therapy (PT), which combines ultrasound (US) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation .

Who Were the Participants?

• Participants: 39 adult women aged 18–70 with chronic muscle pain lasting at least three months.
• Groups: Divided into two groups—20 participants used the PLS device, while 19 underwent conventional physical therapy.

How Was the Research Conducted?

• Duration: 3 weeks.
• Frequency: Five 20-minute sessions per week.
• Measurements: Researchers assessed pain using:
  • Surface Electromyography (sEMG): Tracks muscle activity.
  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS): Measures pain intensity.
  • Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ): Analyzes pain descriptions.

What Were the Findings?

1. General Positive Explanation

The PLS device was found to significantly reduce muscle activity and alleviate pain. Its effectiveness was comparable to traditional physical therapy techniques, showing promise as a non-invasive, home-based treatment option for chronic muscle pain.

2. Specific Evidence Supporting These Findings

1. Muscle Activity Reduction (sEMG):

   • Neck: Muscle activity decreased by 45.3% (p = 0.0425).
   • Shoulder: Muscle activity reduced by 40.8% (p = 0.0425).
   • Back: Muscle activity fell by 51.6% (p = 0.0046).

2. Pain Intensity (VAS):

   • PLS group pain scores dropped from 5.5 to 3.4 on average—a 38.2% reduction.
   • Physical therapy group scores improved similarly, from 4.8 to 3.2.

3. Pain Description (SF-MPQ):

   • The PLS group’s adjusted score was 5.23, compared to 6.23 for the physical therapy group, highlighting better overall pain relief.

4. Safety:

   • No side effects or discomfort were reported during the study, demonstrating the device's safety for home use.

Why Could Low-Frequency Stimulation Help With Muscle Pain?

Low-frequency stimulation works by:

• Improving blood circulation: Helps muscles relax and heal.
• Blocking pain signals: Reduces discomfort through nerve stimulation.
• Stimulating endorphin release: Your body’s natural painkillers.

These mechanisms make it an excellent non-pharmacological option for managing chronic pain.

How Could This Study Help EMS Device Users?

If you use an EMS or related device, this study shows how:

• Regular use can help reduce chronic muscle pain.
• Home-based devices provide effective and convenient treatment.
• EMS is a safe and non-invasive way to manage pain without medications.

Read the Research

• Original Research Title: Effects of Personal Low-Frequency Stimulation Device on Myalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
• Simplified Title: How Low-Frequency Stimulation Helps Relieve Chronic Pain.
• Link to Study: Click here to access the research.

Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, this peer-reviewed journal ensures the study’s reliability.

What Do You Think?

Have you tried a low-frequency stimulation or EMS device for pain relief? How has it worked for you? Would you like us to share more research like this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

About ORIEMS FIT Research Digest

At ORIEMS FIT Research Digest, our mission is to inspire curiosity and empower your fitness journey by simplifying complex scientific research. Share this post with your friends and family, and don’t forget to bookmark it for future reference!

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. For full details on our disclaimer, visit here.