PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EFFICACY IN REDUCING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS

这个子项目是许多利用 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 RA是一种以疼痛、疲劳、睡眠障碍和情绪变化为特征的疾病。尽管使用了非甾体抗炎药（NSAID）和疾病缓解抗风湿药（DMARD），这些症状通常仍持续存在。许多这些药物不起作用的妇女转向补充和替代疗法，包括使用磁性装置。虽然很少有研究调查了低强度脉冲磁场（PMF）垫对RA患者的影响，但有证据表明PMF可能有助于缓解疼痛，炎症和疲劳。本研究将确定PMF器械对绝经后女性RA症状的影响。本研究将持续12周。参与者将被随机分配到三组之一：主动PMF垫治疗，假PMF垫治疗或标准治疗，其中可能包括药物治疗或物理治疗。在研究期间，活性和假PMF垫组的受试者将使用分配的垫治疗约8分钟，每天两次。将使用量表和自我报告量表评估疼痛、疲劳、睡眠质量、情绪和炎症发作。将进行血液和尿液收集，以评估应激激素和某些蛋白质的水平。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. RA is a condition characterized by pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. These symptoms often persist despite the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Many women for whom these drugs do not work turn to complementary and alternative therapies, including the use of magnetic devices. Although few studies have investigated the effects of low strength pulsed magnetic field (PMF) pads in persons with RA, evidence suggests that PMF may help relieve pain, inflammation, and fatigue. This study will determine the effects of a PMF device on RA symptoms in postmenopausal women. This study will last 12 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: active PMF pad treatment, sham PMF pad treatment, or standard of care, which may include drug therapy or physical therapy. Participants in the active and sham PMF pad groups will be treated with their assigned pad for approximately 8 minutes, twice a day for the duration of the study. Questionnaires and self-report scales will be used to assess pain, fatigue, sleep quality, mood, and inflammation episodes. Blood and urine collection will occur to assess levels of stress hormones and certain proteins.