QUANTUM MAGNETIC RESONANCE(QMR) THERAPY AS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS: RESULTS OF PHASE II STUDY

Objectives: To study the effects of quantum magnetic resonance (QMR) beams on clinical and functional parameters and cartilage thickness of osteoarthritic knee joints. Methods: One hundred and ninety five patients with bilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees were assessed on the basis of the internationally recognized Knee Society clinical rating system, and the scores were computed prior to treatment, after 21 days of QMR therapy, and at three months. In addition, MRI of the knees was done using standard protocol, before the treatment and at three months, to measure objective changes in cartilage thickness in the treated knee joints. Results: The results of this prospective, non-randomized, phase II study showed statistically highly significant improvement in pain scores, total knee scores, total functional scores and the range of motion, immediately after the treatment vis-a-vis pre-treatment values, and this improvement persisted when evaluation was repeated at three months. There was also a significant increase in cartilage thickness at three months, from 0.64mm (±0.02) pretreatment to 0.88 mm (±0.07) in left knee, and 0.65mm (±0.02) to 0.89mm (±0.05) in the right knee joint (p<0.001). Conclusion: Therapeutic exposure to quantum magnetic resonance beams is effective in ameliorating the signs and symptoms of OA, and inducing regenerative activity in the chondrocytes as evidenced by an increase in the cartilage thickness. QMR therapy could be an effective treatment modality for osteoarthritis, with a potential to reverse the disease process.