Investigation of PEMF Therapy for Female Patients With IC/BPS

NCT ID: NCT05149573

Last Updated: 2025-11-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 75 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-08-29
• Study Completion Date: 2026-04-30

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to gather information about the safety and effectiveness of the non-pharmacological (non-drug), non-invasive treatment known as low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. The study team will distribute the PEMF device to female adults with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) to measure its ability to decrease bladder and pelvic pain as well as other urinary symptoms associated with IC/BPS. There are two sequential Aims in this study and subjects will be recruited to participate in only one Aim. In both Aims, data will be collected at baseline/enrollment, 4-weeks after using PEMF therapy, and 8, 12, and 16 weeks post-enrollment.

Detailed Description

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a clinical diagnosis based primarily on chronic symptoms of pain perceived by the patient to emanate from the bladder and/or pelvis associated with urinary urgency or frequency in the absence of another identifiable cause of the symptoms. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, the chronicity and severity of pain, along with other urinary symptoms, causes great impairment in a patient's quality of life. In addition, IC/BPS poses a significant clinical challenge for many reasons. For one, the pathophysiology described in the literature is incompletely determined and likely multi-factorial, including factors such as inflammation, neurovascular dysfunction, ion imbalance, and impaired urothelial cell integrity. Consequently, there are many options for IC/BPS therapy, many of which are driven primarily by patient-reported symptoms. In this regard, IC/BPS patients with moderate to severe pain typically require multi-modal therapy, often resulting in incomplete or no resolution of symptoms. Another clinical challenge is the heterogeneity of the symptoms. While pelvic pain is the distinguishing characteristic, patients with IC/BPS also routinely present with additional urological and non-urological medical symptoms and syndromes. This has led to the description of two specific sub-phenotypes in IC/BPS based on anesthetized bladder capacity (BC), in which patients with BC < 400 cc are more likely to experience severe pain, urgency and frequency (bladder centric sub-phenotype), and patients with BC > 400 cc (non-bladder centric sub-phenotype) have a higher prevalence of non-urological associated syndromes (NUAS) such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue symptoms, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and sicca syndrome.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy may present a promising alternative therapy for patients with IC/BPS. PEMF is a safe, non-invasive, and effective therapy currently used for wound healing, bone-related diseases (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis), and chronic pain states (chronic lower back pain, fibromyalgia), the latter of which are frequently associated with IC/BPS as NUAS. Based on Faraday's law, electromagnetic interactions (e.g. PEMF) with biological processes and conditions (e.g. IC/BPS) will theoretically address many of the proposed pathophysiological causes of the condition. While the mechanism(s) of action are not fully understood, PEMF therapy has been shown in several studies (randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials) to decrease the output of pro-inflammatory proteins, improve oxygenation of blood and tissue, stabilize transmembrane action potential and ion channels, and stimulate tissue regeneration. Thus, PEMF may provide a safe, non-invasive therapeutic option that would be complementary to, or serve as an alternative for, the treatments that are currently being administered in IC/BPS for pain reduction. Of note, PEMF has demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no associated systemic risks reported to date. Additionally, the application of exogenous PEMF to stimulate the pelvic floor muscle has recently been introduced for treating urge and/or stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. Furthermore, if patient safety and efficacy for pain reduction are demonstrated, these feasibility studies will provide the foundation for larger multi-site trials to determine additional parameters regarding the appropriate number of treatments as well as the duration of benefit (pain relief) following treatments.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of PEMF therapy to significantly reduce pain among female patients with IC/BPS (Aim 1) and to evaluate the duration of benefit from PEMF therapy with and without maintenance treatments over a 4-month period (Aim 2).

Conditions

Interstitial Cystitis; Chronic Interstitial Cystitis; Bladder Pain Syndrome

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

4-Week Treatment with no Maintenance Period

Treatment will be provided via self-administration of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy using the B. Body (full body mat) and B. Pad (targeted pelvic pad). The participant will lie the B. Body mat on any flat surface and lay on the mat with the smaller B. Pad placed directly over the pelvic area. The PEMF device (attached to the control unit) has been pre-programmed to deliver the same level of energy every time. Participants will be instructed to administer this home treatment twice a day (morning and evening) for 8-minute sessions over a 4-week period. After 4 weeks, participants will return the device and complete one set of electronic questionnaires during the last week of the month for the following 3 months.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

BEMER PEMF device consists of a B. Body (full body mat), B. Pad (targeted pelvic pad), and Control Unit which powers the device. Both B. Body and B. Pad must be plugged in simultaneously into the Control Unit and activated individually. B. Body must be placed on a flat surface (e.g. floor, bed, reclining chair, etc) for best results.

4-Week Sham Treatment with no Maintenance Period

Participants will be provided with a sham B. Body and B. Pad that appears identical to the active pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device. The participant will lie the sham B. Body mat on any flat surface and lay on the mat with the smaller sham B. Pad placed directly over the pelvic area. The participant will be instructed to administer this sham treatment twice a day (morning and evening) for 8-minute sessions over a 4-week period. After 4 weeks, participants will return the sham device and complete one set of electronic questionnaires during the last week of the month for the following 3 months.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The sham PEMF device appears identical to the BEMER PEMF device, with all of the same components and accessories, but does not emit a pulsed electromagnetic field.

4-Week Treatment with 1-Week-Per-Month Maintenance Period for an Additional 3 Months

Treatment will be provided via self-administration of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy using the B. Body (full body mat) and B. Pad (targeted pelvic pad). The participant will lie the B. Body mat on any flat surface and lay on the mat with the smaller B. Pad placed directly over the pelvic area. The PEMF device (attached to the control unit) has been pre-programmed to deliver the same level of energy every time. Participants will be instructed to administer this home treatment twice a day (morning and evening) for 8-minute sessions over a 4-week period. After 4 weeks, participants will keep the device and use it for 1 week (7 days) during the last week of the month for the following 3 months. Each participant in this group will be asked to complete a set of electronic questionnaires immediately following their week-long maintenance treatment during the last 3 months of the study.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

BEMER PEMF device consists of a B. Body (full body mat), B. Pad (targeted pelvic pad), and Control Unit which powers the device. Both B. Body and B. Pad must be plugged in simultaneously into the Control Unit and activated individually. B. Body must be placed on a flat surface (e.g. floor, bed, reclining chair, etc) for best results.

Interventions

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Device

BEMER PEMF device consists of a B. Body (full body mat), B. Pad (targeted pelvic pad), and Control Unit which powers the device. Both B. Body and B. Pad must be plugged in simultaneously into the Control Unit and activated individually. B. Body must be placed on a flat surface (e.g. floor, bed, reclining chair, etc) for best results.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Sham Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Device

The sham PEMF device appears identical to the BEMER PEMF device, with all of the same components and accessories, but does not emit a pulsed electromagnetic field.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

BEMER PEMF; BEMER B. Body; BEMER B. Pad; BEMER Control Unit

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Previously established clinical diagnosis of IC/PS
• Current numeric rating scale (NRS) score of ≥ 6
• History of cystoscopy with hydrodistension with bladder capacity determination under anesthesia
• No cognitive deficits

Exclusion Criteria

• History of bladder, ovarian, vaginal cancer
• History of urethral diverticulum
• History of radiation cystitis
• History of spinal cord injury or spina bifida
• History of Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke
• Current placement of a pacemaker or metal prosthesis
• Active urinary tract infection
• BMI > 40
• Residual urine of > 100cc
• Current pregnant

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Stephen J Walker, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Locations

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Stephen J Walker, PhD

Role: CONTACT

swalker@wakehealth.edu

336-713-7272

Kaylee A Ferrara, BS

Role: CONTACT

kferrara@wakehealth.edu

336-713-1693

Facility Contacts

Stephen J Walker, PhD

Role: primary

swalker@wakehealth.edu

336-713-7272

Kaylee A Ferrarra, BS

Role: backup

kferrara@wakehealth.edu

336-713-1693

References

van de Merwe JP, Nordling J, Bouchelouche P, Bouchelouche K, Cervigni M, Daha LK, Elneil S, Fall M, Hohlbrugger G, Irwin P, Mortensen S, van Ophoven A, Osborne JL, Peeker R, Richter B, Riedl C, Sairanen J, Tinzl M, Wyndaele JJ. Diagnostic criteria, classification, and nomenclature for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: an ESSIC proposal. Eur Urol. 2008 Jan;53(1):60-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2007.09.019. Epub 2007 Sep 20.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 17900797 (View on PubMed)

Vasudevan V, Moldwin R. Addressing quality of life in the patient with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Asian J Urol. 2017 Jan;4(1):50-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ajur.2016.08.014. Epub 2016 Dec 2.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 29264207 (View on PubMed)

Keay SK, Birder LA, Chai TC. Evidence for bladder urothelial pathophysiology in functional bladder disorders. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:865463. doi: 10.1155/2014/865463. Epub 2014 May 8.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 24900993 (View on PubMed)

Parsons CL. The role of a leaky epithelium and potassium in the generation of bladder symptoms in interstitial cystitis/overactive bladder, urethral syndrome, prostatitis and gynaecological chronic pelvic pain. BJU Int. 2011 Feb;107(3):370-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.09843.x. Epub 2010 Dec 22.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 21176078 (View on PubMed)

Christmas TJ, Rode J, Chapple CR, Milroy EJ, Turner-Warwick RT. Nerve fibre proliferation in interstitial cystitis. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol. 1990;416(5):447-51. doi: 10.1007/BF01605152.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 2107633 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

1R01DK128233-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

IRB00079006

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id