Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on bone mineral density (BMD) of spinal cord injuried (SCI) patients. MethodsThe PEMFs group was composed of 12 SCI patients received regular PEMFs treatment as the treatment group, 12 SCI patients treated without PEMFs were as the control group.BMD of total proximal femur, Ward's trigonum and great trochanter of all patients were detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after treatment.ResultsBMDs of total proximal femur and great trochanter of patients of the treatment group were a little increased after PEMFs treatment, with no significant difference (P>0.05), but BMD change was significantly different compared with the control group (P<0.05～0.01).ConclusionPEMFs treatment along with routine exercise may help to reduce the loss of bone after SCI.

Key words: pulsed electromagnetic fields, spinal cord injury, bone mineral density, osteoporosis