Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on acute radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled study

Abstract Purpose The objective of this research was to synthesize the evidence about the usage of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in women with breast cancer undergoing hypo-fractionated whole-breast irradiation (HFWBI) for the treatment of acute radiodermatitis. Methods The study included 50 patients (35–55 years) with unilateral breast cancer post-lumpectomy who received HFWBI. They were randomized into Group A (PEMF plus standard skin care) and Group B (standard skin care only). Skin reactions were assessed during PEMF therapy using sonographic skin thickness measurements and RTOG criterion. Results After radiation, skin thickness increased in both groups, peaking at 4 weeks (PEMF 2.82 mm; control 2.74 mm, p  = 0.030). By 6 weeks, thickness declined in the PEMF group but remained high in controls ( p  < 0.001), and by 8 weeks PEMF returned near baseline (2.01 mm) while controls stayed thickened ( p  < 0.001). Skin reactions worsened in both groups by week 4, with more severe cases in controls (36% vs. 12%, p  = 0.150). By week 6, PEMF patients mostly had mild reactions (72% Grade 0–1) compared to predominantly severe reactions in controls (84% Grade 2–3, p  = 0.001). At 8 weeks, recovery was greater with PEMF, as 52% returned to Grade 0 versus only 8% in controls ( p  = 0.001). Conclusion Results such as these indicate that PEMF therapy accelerates recovery from radiotherapy and diminishes the intensity of acute radiodermatitis. Trial registration Trial registration number: NCT06003764. Date of registration: 12 August 2023. Prospectively registered for prospectively registered trials.