Title: Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Literature Review

Authors: Sposito, Michael MD, Canales, Charlene DO, Jusakos, Panayotis MD, Sanchez, Daniel MD, Andrade, Roberto MD, Thampi, Samuel, MD

Introduction:
Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common diabetes complication causing chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Conventional treatments often have limited effectiveness and side effects, prompting interest in alternatives like magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS). This non-invasive technique uses pulsed magnetic fields to activate peripheral nerves and modulate pain. This review examines current evidence on the efficacy, mechanisms, and clinical outcomes of mPNS as a potential therapy for managing PDN.
Methods:
A comprehensive scientific literature search was conducted through specialized databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, MedlinePlus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. The search terms used to retrieve the relevant literature in each of these databases were “neuropathic pain” AND “mPNS” AND "chronic pain”.
Results:
The literature review revealed significant findings across the four reviewed studies. In a retrospective observational study consisting of 24 patients with neuropathic post-traumatic or post-op pain, two-thirds of patients showed an 87% reduction in pain 3 months after treatment with mPNS. A multicenter randomized controlled trial of 71 painful diabetic neuropathic subjects undergoing mPNS showed an 81.4% responder rate with 75.7% average pain reduction at 3 months. Further improvement in neuropathic pain with mPNS was found in a randomized controlled trial of 65 patients with post-surgical neuropathy, resulting in 71% responders at 3 months with >50% reduction in pain with the combination of conventional medical management. A pilot clinical trial of 9 participants with diabetic neuropathy receiving magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation resulted in a 78% significant reduction in pain immediately post-treatment and up to 7 days post-treatment.
Discussion:
Magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation shows promise as a non-invasive treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy, with studies reporting sustained pain relief and improved quality of life. While responses vary, evidence supports its potential. Larger, diverse studies are needed to confirm long-term efficacy, optimize protocols, and establish mPNS as a reliable option in neuropathic pain management. 

References:
Bedder, M., & Parker, L. (2023). Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (mPNS) for Chronic Pain. Journal of pain research, 16, 2365–2373. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S409331
Brown, L., Gage, E., Cordner, H., Kapural, L., Rosenberg, J., & Bedder, M. (2025). Safety and Efficacy of Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Treating Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society, S1094-7159(25)00138-2. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2025.03.074
Kapural, L., Patel, J., Rosenberg, J. C., Li, S., Amirdelfan, K., & Bedder, M. (2024). Safety and Efficacy of Axon Therapy (SEAT Study), Utilizing Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (mPNS) for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain. Journal of pain research, 17, 3167–3174. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S481944
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