Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Managing osteoarthritis aims to relieve pain, improve joint function and quality of life. Current guidelines recommend combining non-drug and pharmacological approaches. A non-medication solution integrating an endorphin-stimulating millimeter wave device, mobile application, and coaching program was evaluated. METHODS: This combined approach is evaluated in a real-world evidence study over three months in patients with osteoarthritis-related pain. The primary endpoint was patient-perceived change at three months using the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Secondary outcomes, assessed at baseline and three months, included pain intensity (mean and maximum), frequency of pain crises, quality of life, sleep, mental health, and medication use. RESULTS: Among 156 participants completing follow-up, 80.1% reported improvement (PGIC > 4). Quality of life improved by 29.8%, while sleep and mental health improved by 13.1% and 13.5%, respectively. Mean and maximum pain intensity decreased by 33.9% and 33.1%. Pain crises became less frequent, and patients reported reduced medication use. CONCLUSION: These results align with recent randomized controlled trial findings, supporting millimeter wave neuromodulation as an innovative, non-drug strategy targeting both nociceptive and nociplastic pain mechanisms to improve quality of life in osteoarthritis patients.