Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 07, 2025
Stanford Study: PSWT Therapy Provides Sustained Relief for Thumb Arthritis
TLDR
- BioElectronics' ActiPatch offers sustained pain relief for thumb arthritis, providing a competitive edge over temporary treatments with its drug-free, at-home therapy.
- A double-blind Stanford study showed pulsed shortwave therapy maintained pain relief at six weeks after use, with statistically significant results versus sham treatment.
- This drug-free therapy improves daily life for millions with thumb arthritis, enabling easier performance of simple tasks like opening jars and buttoning shirts.
- Pulsed shortwave therapy uses electromagnetic energy to provide lasting pain relief for thumb arthritis, costing less than a nickel per hour of use.
Impact - Why it Matters
This research demonstrates a breakthrough in treating thumb arthritis, a condition affecting millions that makes simple daily tasks painful and difficult. Unlike current treatments that often provide only temporary relief, pulsed shortwave therapy offers sustained pain reduction even after treatment stops, addressing a critical gap in arthritis care. For the estimated 4-7 million Americans suffering from thumb arthritis, this represents a safe, drug-free alternative that can be used at home without systemic side effects. The validation from Stanford University researchers gives credibility to electromagnetic therapies and could significantly improve quality of life for arthritis patients who struggle with basic activities like opening jars or buttoning clothes.
Summary
BioElectronics Corporation, a medical technology developer, has announced groundbreaking results from a Stanford University clinical trial demonstrating that pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) provides sustained pain relief for adults suffering from thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. The double-blind, randomized controlled study, published through NEWMEDIAWIRE and available on Sage Journals, involved 61 adults who used either active PSWT devices or identical-appearing sham devices for approximately eight hours nightly over four weeks. While both groups experienced pain reduction during the treatment period, only the PSWT group maintained significant pain relief at the six-week follow-up after device use was discontinued, showing that the benefits weren't solely due to splinting effects or placebo response.
The study's key findings reveal that PSWT offers true sustained analgesic benefits for one of the most common and painful forms of hand arthritis affecting 4-7 million U.S. adults. Thumb arthritis significantly impacts daily activities like turning doorknobs, buttoning shirts, and opening jars, with current treatment options limited to splints, medications, or injections. BioElectronics' PSWT technology, available through their ActiPatch product, represents a safe, drug-free alternative that patients can self-administer at home. The therapy was well-tolerated with only minor skin irritation reported and no serious adverse events, making it an attractive option for long-term pain management without systemic side effects.
This research matters because it validates a non-invasive, affordable solution for a widespread condition that currently lacks effective long-term treatments. The sustained pain relief demonstrated even after treatment cessation suggests PSWT addresses the underlying pain mechanisms rather than just providing temporary symptomatic relief. As BioElectronics continues to develop its family of drug-free pain therapy devices including ActiPatch Therapy and RecoveryRx products, this study provides strong clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of electromagnetic therapies for chronic musculoskeletal conditions, potentially revolutionizing how millions manage arthritis pain without relying on medications or invasive procedures.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Stanford Study: PSWT Therapy Provides Sustained Relief for Thumb Arthritis
