Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has proven itself quite effective on pain. 3 decades of Eastern European research proved pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) highly effective in a diverse range of therapeutic applications with no side-effects or adverse reactions. Got pain?...PEMF is probably the answer to your prayers.
If
you've got fibromyalgia pain or migraine headaches, PEMF is
the answer to your prayers and we have rarely seen it fail. We
discoverd effect of PEMF on fibromyalgia pain and stiffness in 2001.
Magnet therapy using permanent magnets has been used in pain management for centuries, particularly in Asia. Magnetic therapy using static-field magnets has been proven more effective than placebo, with most successful peer reviewed static-magnetic field studies being performed in Asia.
Use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) for pain management has proven over 3 decades to be far more effective and work much faster than the use of static-magnet therapy. Frequency specificity in pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is currently being investigated in the West after Eastern European research found particular frequencies useful more than 3 decades ago.
The use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is relatively new protocol for pain in the West, but over the last 3 decades has proven to be side-effect free and at least somewhat effective based upon the following studies which rarely utilize the most effective protocols. Rarely do peer-reviewed PEMF studies prove less effective than placebo;...when they do, frequency, amplitude and wave-form shape are questionable.
EarthPulse™ on the other hand is modeled after Eastern European's most effective and well tested frequencies and wave-forms, in a very adaptable system that is primarily designed for nighttime use. If it doesn't exceed your expectations (for any purpose), just return it for a full refund (less shipping charges).
If you've got fibromyalgia pain (or migraine headaches), PEMF is the answer to your prayers and we have never seen it fail. Fibromyalgia and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has not been well researched in the peer-reviewed journals so you will only find a few references that infer potential treatment protocols. Another failure by the medical maistream to pay attention.
See also PEMF Fibromyalgia Pain Bibliography and PEMF Migraine Bibliography
Ann Readapt Med Phys. 2007 Jan 2; [Epub ahead of print] Links
[Are
SPA therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy effective for
chronic neck pain? Randomised clinical trial First part: clinical
evaluation.]
Centre de recherche rhumatologique et thermal, BP 234, 73102 Aix-les-Bains cedex, France.
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006 Nov;88 Suppl 3:56-60. Links
Biophysical stimulation with pulsed electromagnetic fields in osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Advanced Therapies, Orthopaedic
Clinic, University of Ferrara, Corso della Giovecca, 44100 Ferrara,
Italy.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 Sep-Oct;12(5):42-9. Links
Regenerative effects of pulsed magnetic field on injured peripheral nerves.
Department of Biophysics, University of Cukurova School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey.
Previous studies confirm that pulsed magnetic field (PMF) accelerates
functional recovery after a nerve crush lesion. The contention that PMF
enhances the regeneration is still controversial, however. The
influence of a new PMF application protocol (trained PMF) on nerve
regeneration was studied in a model of crush injury of the sciatic
nerve of rats. To determine if exposure to PMF influences regeneration,
we used electrophysiological recordings and ultrastructural
examinations. After the measurements of conduction velocity, the
sucrose-gap method was used to record compound action potentials (CAPs)
from sciatic nerves. PMF treatment during the 38 days following the
crush injury enhanced the regeneration. Although the axonal
ultrastructures were generally normal, slight to moderate myelin sheath
degeneration was noted at the lesion site. PMF application for 38 days
accelerated nerve conduction velocity, increased CAP amplitude and
decreased the time to peak of the CAP. Furthermore, corrective effects
of PMF on. the abnormal characteristics of sensory nerve fibers were
determined. Consequently, long-periodic trained-PMF may promote both
morphological and electrophysiological properties of the injured
nerves. In addition, corrective effects of PMF on sensory fibers may be
considered an important finding for neuropathic pain therapy.
Past evidence has shown that motor cortical stimulation with invasive and
non-invasive brain stimulation is effective to relieve central pain. Here
we aimed to study the effects of another, very safe technique of non-invasive
brain stimulation--transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)--on pain
control in patients with central pain due to traumatic spinal cord injury.
There was a significant pain improvement
after active anodal stimulation of the motor cortex, but not after sham stimulation.
These results were not confounded by depression or anxiety changes. Furthermore,
cognitive performance was not significantly changed throughout the trial in
both treatment groups. The results of our study suggest that this new approach
of cortical stimulation can be effective to control pain in patients with
spinal cord lesion. We discuss potential mechanisms for pain amelioration
after tDCS, such as a secondary modulation of thalamic nuclei activity.
Pain.
2006 May;122(1-2):22-7. Epub 2006 Feb 21.
Comment in: * Pain. 2006 May;122(1-2):11-3.
Reduction
of intractable deafferentation pain by navigation-guided repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex. Hirayama A, Saitoh Y,
Kishima H, Shimokawa T, Oshino S, Hirata M, Kato A, Yoshimine T. Department
of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
The precentral gyrus (M1) (TOP OF THE HEAD) is
a representative target for electrical stimulation therapy of pain. To date,
few researchers have investigated whether pain relief is possible by stimulation
of cortical areas other than M1. According to recent reports, repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can provide an effect similar to that of electrical
stimulation. With this in mind, we therefore examined several cortical areas
as stimulation targets using a navigation-guided rTMS and compared the effects
of the different targets on pain. Twenty patients with intractable deafferentation
pain received rTMS of M1, the postcentral gyrus (S1), premotor area (preM),
and supplementary motor area (SMA). Each target was stimulated with ten trains
of 10-s 5-Hz TMS pulses, with 50-s intervals in between trains. Intensities
were adjusted to 90% of resting motor thresholds. Thus, a total of 500 stimuli
were applied. Sham stimulations were undertaken at random. The effect of rTMS
on pain was rated by patients using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the
short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Ten
of the 20 patients (50%) indicated that stimulation of M1, but not other areas,
provided significant and beneficial pain relief (p<0.01). Results indicated
a statistically significant effect lasting for 3 hours after the stimulation
of M1 (p<0.05). Stimulation of other targets was not effective.
The M1 was the sole target for treating intractable pain with rTMS, in spite
of the fact that M1, S1, preM, and SMA are located adjacently.
OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that fibromyalgia (FM) is a centrally mediated pain disorder. Antidepressants, including electroconvulsive therapy, provide some symptomatic relief in FM and other pain disorders. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a new antidepressant treatment, which may also be useful in treating chronic pain. All had improvement in pain, and two had complete resolution of pain. Only one of the four subjects had an antidepressant response. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest a possible role for rTMS in treating FM.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial studied the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT) in patients with chronic lower back pain. Active PEMT (n = 17) or placebo treatment (n = 19) was performed three times a week for 3 weeks. The mean revised Oswestry disability percentage after 4 weeks was significantly improved from the baseline value in the PEMT group, whereas there were no significant differences in the placebo group. In conclusion, PEMT reduced pain and disability and appears to be a potentially useful therapeutic tool for the conservative management of chronic lower back pain.
Clin
Rheumatol. 2006 Apr 22;
Effectiveness
of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in lateral epicondylitis.Trakya
University Medical Faculty Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department,
Edirne, Turkey,
We aimed to investigate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in lateral epicondylitis comparing the modality with sham PEMF and local steroid injection. Sixty patients equally distributed into three groups as follows: Group I received PEMF, Group II sham PEMF, and Group III a corticosteroid + anesthetic agent injection. Group I patients had lower pain during rest, activity and nighttime than Group III at third month. PEMF seems to reduce lateral epicondylitis pain better than sham PEMF.
Rheumatol
Int. 2006 Feb;26(4):320-4.
The
effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of cervical osteoarthritis:
a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Ankara Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital, Turk ocagi S No: 3 Sihhiye,
Ankara, Turkey.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) on pain, range of motion (ROM) and functional status in patients with cervical osteoarthritis (COA) via 30 min sessions, twice a day for 3 weeks. Pain levels in the PEMF group decreased significantly after therapy (p<0.001), but no change was observed in the placebo group. The active ROM, paravertebral muscle spasm and neck pain and disability scale (NPDS) scores improved significantly after PEMF therapy (p<0.001) but no change was observed in the sham group. The results of this study are promising, in that PEMF treatment may offer a potential therapeutic adjunct to current COA therapies in the future.
Cephalalgia.
2006 Feb;26(2):143-9.
Induction
of long-lasting changes of visual cortex excitability by five daily sessions
of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in healthy volunteers
and migraine patients. Fumal A, Coppola G, Bohotin V, Gerardy PY, Seidel
L, Donneau AF, Vandenheede M, Maertens de Noordhout A, Schoenen J. Department
of Neurology, University of Liege, Belgium.
We have shown that in healthy volunteers (HV) one session of 1 Hz repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the visual cortex induces dishabituation
of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) on average for 30 min, while in migraineurs
one session of 10 Hz rTMS replaces the abnormal VEP potentiation by a normal
habituation for 9 min. In the present study, we investigated whether repeated
rTMS sessions (1 Hz in eight HV; 10 Hz in eight migraineurs) on 5 consecutive
days can modify VEPs for longer periods. Daily
rTMS can thus induce long-lasting changes in cortical excitability and VEP
habituation pattern. Whether this effect may be useful in preventative migraine
therapy remains to be determined.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relative effectiveness of ice therapy and/or pulsed electromagnetic field in reducing pain and swelling after the immobilization period following a distal radius fracture. CONCLUSION: The addition of pulsed electromagnetic field to ice therapy produces better overall treatment outcomes than ice alone, or pulsed electromagnetic field alone in pain reduction and range of joint motion in ulnar deviation and flexion for a distal radius fracture after an immobilization period of 6 weeks.
Z
Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 2005 Sep-Oct;143(5):544-50.
[Adjuvant
treatment of knee osteoarthritis with weak pulsing magnetic fields. Results
of a placebo-controlled trial prospective clinical trial] Fischer G, Pelka
RB, Barovic J.Institut fur Hygiene an der Universitat Graz, Osterreich.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was the objective control of the therapeutic
effect of weak pulsing magnetic fields (series of periodically repeating square
pulses increasing according to an e-function, frequencies of 10, 20, 30, and
200-300 Hz) by means of a double-blind study on osteoarthritis of the knee.
Measured parameters were the Knee Society score, pain sensation, blood count
and cardiocirculatory values. METHODS: 36 placebo and 35 verum test persons
(all with a knee gap smaller than 3 mm) were exposed daily for 16 minutes
over 6 weeks to a low frequency magnetic field (flux densities increasing
gradually from 3.4 up to 13.6 microT) encompassing the whole body. The last
data collection was made 4 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Principally,
the statistically ensured results exclusively favour the used magnetic field
therapy; by far the greatest number of at least significant differences was
found at the end of the whole treatment, lasting 6 weeks. In particular, it
is striking that all 4 questioned pain scales showed at least significant
improvements in favour of the verum collective; also the walking distance
was increased. As another confirmed fact, even after 4 weeks without therapy
the persistence of several functional and analgesic effects could be documented.
CONCLUSIONS: Predominantly, on the one hand, pain relief in osteoarthritis
patients was confirmed by a double-blind trial, on the other hand, increases
in mobility could be proven. Furthermore, we describe mainly the modes of
action of low frequency magnetic energy and 3 physical concepts that are seen
as the connecting link between electromagnetic fields coupled into connective
tissue and biochemical repair and growth processes in bones and cartilage.
Proceeding from the results of this and preceding studies, one has to consider
seriously whether this kind of magnetic field application should not be employed
as cost-effective and side effect-free alternative or adjuvant form of therapy
in the field of orthopaedic disorders.
Biomed
Pharmacother. 2005 Aug;59(7):388-94.
Effects
of pulsed electromagnetic fields on articular hyaline cartilage: review of
experimental and clinical studies. Experimental Surgery Department, Research
Institute Codivilla-Putti-Rizzoli, Orthopedic Institute, via di Barbiano 1/10,
40136 Bologna, Italy.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disorder of the musculoskeletal system and is a consequence of mechanical and biological events that destabilize tissue homeostasis in articular joints. Controlling chondrocyte death and apoptosis, function, response to anabolic and catabolic stimuli, matrix synthesis or degradation and inflammation is the most important target of potential chondroprotective treatment, aimed to retard or stabilize the progression of OA. Although many drugs or substances have been recently introduced for the treatment of OA, the majority of them do not modify the complex pathological processes that occur in these tissues. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have a number of well-documented physiological effects on cells and tissues including the upregulation of gene expression of members of the transforming growth factor beta super family, the increase in glycosaminoglycan levels, and an anti-inflammatory action. In the present paper some recent experimental in vitro and in vivo data on the effect of PEMFs on articular cartilage were reviewed. These data strongly support the clinical use of PEMFs in OA patients.
J
Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;76(6):833-8. Related
Articles, Links
Longlasting
antalgic effects of daily sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
in central and peripheral neuropathic pain. Khedr EM, Kotb H, Kamel NF,
Ahmed MA, Sadek R, Rothwell JC. Department of Neurology, Assiut University
Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A single session of repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (rTMS) over motor cortex had been reported to produce short term
relief of some types of chronic pain. The present study investigated whether
five consecutive days of rTMS would lead to longer lasting pain relief in
unilateral chronic intractable neuropathic pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty
eight patients with therapy resistant chronic unilateral pain syndromes (24
each with trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) and post-stroke pain syndrome (PSP))
participated. Fourteen from each group received 10 minutes real rTMS over
the hand area of motor cortex (20 Hz, 10x10 s trains, intensity 80% of motor
threshold) every day for five consecutive days. The remaining patients received
sham stimulation. CONCLUSION: These results
confirm that five daily sessions of rTMS over motor cortex can produce longlasting
pain relief in patients with TGN or PSP.
CONTEXT: Neuropathic pain (NP) from peripheral neuropathy (PN) arises from
ectopic firing of unmyelinated C-fibers with accumulation of sodium and calcium
channels. Because pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) safely induce extremely
low frequency (ELF) quasirectangular currents that can depolarize, repolarize,
and hyperpolarize neurons, it was hypothesized that directing this energy
into the sole of one foot could potentially modulate neuropathic pain. DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS:
24 consecutive patients with refractory and symptomatic PN from diabetes,
chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), pernicious anemia,
mercury poisoning, paraneoplastic syndrome, tarsal tunnel, and idiopathic
sensory neuropathy were enrolled in this nonplacebo pilot study. The most
symptomatic foot received therapy. INTERVENTION: Noninvasive pulsed signal
therapy generates a unidirectional quasirectangular waveform with strength
about 20 gauss and a frequency about 30 Hz into the soles of the feet for
9 consecutive 1-h treatments (excluding weekends). The most symptomatic foot
of each patient was treated. RESULTS: Mean pain scores decreased 21%
from baseline to end of treatment (P=0.19) but with 49% reduction of pain
scores from baseline to end of follow-up (P<0.01). Of this group, self-reported
PGIC was improved 67% (n=10) and no change was 33% (n=5). There were
no adverse events or safety issues. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data demonstrate
that directing PEMF to the feet can provide unexpected shortterm analgesic
effects in more than 50% of individuals. The role of placebo is not known
and was not tested. The precise mechanism is
unclear yet suggests that severe and advanced cases are more magnetically
sensitive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jan 2;354(1):30-3. Related Articles,
Links
Analgesic and behavioral effects of a 100 microT specific pulsed extremely
low frequency magnetic field on control and morphine treated CF-1 mice.
Shupak NM, Hensel JM, Cross-Mellor SK, Kavaliers M, Prato FS, Thomas AW.
Bioelectromagnetics, Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Nuclear
Medicine, St. Joseph's Health Care, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, Ont. N6A
4V2, Canada.
Diverse studies have shown that magnetic fields can affect behavioral and
physiological functions. Previously, we have shown that sinusoidal extremely
low frequency magnetic fields and specific pulsed magnetic fields (Cnps) can
produce alterations in the analgesia-related behavior of the land snail. Here,
we have extended these studies to show an induction of analgesia in mice equivalent
to a moderate dose of morphine (5 mg/kg), and the effect of both Cnp exposure
and morphine injection on some open-field activity. Cnp exposure was found
to prolong the response latency to a nociceptive thermal stimulus (hot plate).
Cnp+morphine offset the increased movement activity found with morphine alone.
These results suggest that pulsed magnetic fields can
induce analgesic behavior in mice without the side effects often associated
with opiates like morphine.
PMID: 14698475 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
J
Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Apr;75(4):612-6.
Neurogenic
pain relief by repetitive transcranial magnetic cortical stimulation depends
on the origin and the site of pain.
Lefaucheur JP, Drouot X, Menard-Lefaucheur I, Zerah F, Bendib B, Cesaro P,
Keravel Y, Nguyen JP.
Service de Physiologie-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hopital Henri Mondor,
51 Avenue de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Creteil, France.
Neurophysiol Clin. 2004 Apr;34(2):91-5.
Neuropathic
pain controlled for more than a year by monthly sessions of repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex. Lefaucheur JP, Drouot X, Menard-Lefaucheur
I, Nguyen JP.
Service de Physiologie-Explorations Fonctionnelles, CHU Hopital Henri Mondor,
51 avenue de Lattre de Tassigny, Creteil 94010, France.
Pain.
2004 Jan;107(1-2):107-15.
Effects
of 1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on acute pain induced
by capsaicin.
Tamura Y, Okabe S, Ohnishi T, N Saito D, Arai N, Mochio S, Inoue K, Ugawa
Y.
Department of Neurology, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of 1-Hz repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) on acute pain
induced by intradermal capsaicin injection and to elucidate its mechanisms
by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We
conclude that rTMS over M1 should have beneficial effects on acute pain,
and its effects must be caused by functional changes of MPFC and caudal ACC.
Neurology.
2004 Jun 22;62(12):2176-81.
Facilitation
of A[delta]-fiber-mediated acute pain by repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation.
Tamura Y, Hoshiyama M, Inui K, Nakata H, Qiu Y, Ugawa Y, Inoue K, Kakigi R.
Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological
Sciences, Okazaki, Japan. ytamura@nips.ac.jp
BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor
cortex modulates acute and chronic pain perception. The authors previously
showed that rTMS over the primary motor cortex (M1) inhibited capsaicin-induced
acute pain ascending through C-fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Together with the authors'
previous study on C-fiber pain, this facilitatory effect of repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation on Adelta-fiber-mediated further strengthens the notion
of a relationship between repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over
M1 and pain perception.
Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2003 Oct;33(8):745-52.
The use of pulsed electromagnetic fields with complex modulation in the treatment
of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.
Musaev AV, Guseinova SG, Imamverdieva SS.
Science Research Institute of Medical Rehabilitation, Baku, Azerbaidzhan.
Clinical and electroneuromyographic studies were performed in 121 patients
with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) before and after courses of treatment with
pulsed electromagnetic fields with complex modulation (PEMF-CM) at different
frequencies (100 and 10 Hz).PEMF-CM at 10 Hz was found
to have therapeutic efficacy, especially in the initial stages of DPN
and in patients with diabetes mellitus for up to 10 years.
PMID: 14635988 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;9(4):38-48.
Effects of a pulsed electromagnetic therapy on multiple sclerosis fatigue
and quality of life: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial.
Lappin MS, Lawrie FW, Richards TL, Kramer ED.
Energy Medicine Developments, (North America), Inc., Burke, Va., USA.
CONTEXT: There is a growing literature on the biological and clinical effects
of pulsed electromagnetic fields. Some studies suggest that electromagnetic
therapies may be useful in the treatment of chronic illnesses. This study
is a follow-up to a placebo controlled pilot study in which multiple sclerosis
(MS) patients exposed to weak, extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic
fields showed significant improvements on a composite symptom measure. CONCLUSIONS:
Evidence from this randomized, double-bind, placebo controlled trial is consistent
with results from smaller studies suggesting that exposure to pulsing, weak
electromagnetic fields can alleviate symptoms of MS. The clinical effects
were small, however, and need to be replicated. Additional research is also
needed to examine the possibility that ambulatory patients and patients taking
interferons for their MS may be most responsive to this kind of treatment.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Multicenter Study
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 12868251 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5: Biomed Sci Instrum. 2003;39:466-70. Related Articles,
Links
Autoradiographic evaluation of electromagnetic field effects on serotonin
(5HT1A) receptors in rat brain.
Johnson MT, McCullough J, Nindl G, Chamberlain JK.
Terre Haute Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine,
Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA.
Serotonin (5HT1A) is a chemical mediator of inflammation and the largest single
neurotransmitter system of the brain. Its secretion and physiological actions
mediate stress and pain, affecting both immune and nervous system functions
through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Serotonin receptor dysfunction
is well-characterized in mental disturbances like depression and anxiety.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been used therapeutically to treat refractory
disorders like non-responsive depression and may act in part through its effect
on 5HT1A receptors. Previously we have shown that in vitro, 5HT1A receptor
binding to a radioactive agonist can be modulated by specific intensity and
frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). In the present report we have used
quantitative receptor autoradiography to evaluate 5HT1A receptor density in
rat brain and the impact of pulsed EMF exposure on receptor binding in key
brain regions. Rats used in this study had whole body exposures to either
a geofield control or to pulsed EMFs to evaluate the treatment for chemically-induced
tendinitis. Since the brains were exposed coincidentally as a consequence
of the main experiment, we investigated the potential for EMF-induced changes
in areas such as the hippocampus. This pilot study should provide a detailed
understanding of magnetic field effects on stress-responsive brain regions
and will lead to a more coordinated approach to the use of such modalities
for therapeutic intervention in humans.
PMID: 12724937 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7: Percept Mot Skills. 2002 Oct;95(2):592-8. Related Articles,
Links
Increased analgesia to thermal stimuli in rats after brief exposures to complex
pulsed 1 microTesla magnetic fields.
Ryczko MC, Persinger MA.
Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
Nociceptive thresholds to a 55 degrees C hot surface were measured for female
Wistar rats before treatments and 30 min. and 60 min. after the treatments.
After injection with either naloxone or saline following baseline measurements,
the rats were exposed for 30 min. to either sham fields or to weak (about
1 microTesla) burst-firing magnetic fields composed of 230 points (4 msec.
per point) presented once every 3 sec. The rats that had received the burst-firing
magnetic fields exhibited elevated nociceptive thresholds that explained about
50% of the variance. A second pattern, designed after the behaviour of individual
thalamic neurons during nociceptive input and called the "activity rhythm
magnetic field" produced only a transient analgesic effect.
These results replicated previous studies and suggest that weak, extremely
low frequency, pulsed magnetic fields with biorelevant temporal structures
may have utility as adjuncts for treatment of pain.
PMID: 12434855 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8: Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002 Aug 30;114(15-16):678-84. Related
Articles, Links
Comment in:
* Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002 Nov 30;114(21-22):953; author
reply 953.
Pulsed magnetic field therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee--a double-blind
sham-controlled trial.
Nicolakis P, Kollmitzer J, Crevenna R, Bittner C, Erdogmus CB, Nicolakis J.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, AKH Wien, University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Peter.nicolakis@akh-wien.ac.at
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Pulsed magnetic field therapy is frequently used to
treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, although its efficacy has not been proven.
We conducted a randomized, double-blind comparison of pulsed magnetic field
and sham therapy in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee.
Patients were assigned to receive 84 sessions, each with a duration of 30
minutes, of either pulsed magnetic field or sham treatment. Patients administered
the treatment on their own at home, twice a day for six weeks. RESULTS: According
to a sample size estimation, 36 consecutive patients were enrolled. 34 patients
completed the study, two of whom had to be excluded from the statistical analysis,
as they had not applied the PMF sufficiently. Thus, 15 verum and 17 sham-treated
patients were enrolled in the statistical analysis. After six weeks of treatment
the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index was reduced in the pulsed magnetic field-group
from 84.1 (+/- 45.1) to 49.7 (+/- 31.6), and from 73.7 (+/- 43.3) to 66.9
(+/- 52.9) in the sham-treated group (p = 0.03). The following secondary parameters
improved in the pulsed magnetic field group more than they did in the sham
group: gait speed at fast walking [+6.0 meters per minute (1.6 to 10.4) vs.
-3.2 (-8.5 to 2.2)], stride length at fast walking [+6.9 cm (0.2 to 13.7)
vs. -2.9 (-8.8 to 2.9)], and acceleration time in the isokinetic dynamometry
strength tests [-7.0% (-15.2 to 1.3) vs. 10.1% (-0.3 to 20.6)]. CONCLUSION:
In patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee, PMF treatment can
reduce impairment in activities of daily life and improve knee function.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Evaluation Studies
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 12602111 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9: Dis Colon Rectum. 2002 Feb;45(2):280-2. Related Articles,
Links
Sacral magnetic stimulation for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia and sciatica.
Sato T, Nagai H.
Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical School, Minamikawachi-machi, Kawachi-gun,
Tochigi-ken, Japan.
INTRODUCTION: Magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots is used for neurologic
examination. However, no one has reported therapeutic efficacy of pain relief
from pudendal neuralgia with sacral magnetic stimulation. METHODS: Five patients
with pudendal neuralgia or sciatica received 30 to 50 pulsed magnetic stimuli
of the sacral nerve roots. The median age of the patients was 59 (range, 28-69)
years; there were 3 females. RESULTS: Sacral magnetic stimulation immediately
eliminated the pain. The pain relief lasted between 30 minutes and 56 days
(median, 24 hours). Adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: This
pilot study indicates that magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots
may be a promising therapeutic modality for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia
and sciatica. Further studies should be performed to determine the
appropriate intensity and frequency, as well as the utility of a second course,
of magnetic stimulation treatment.
PMID: 11852346 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10: Biomed Sci Instrum. 2002;38:157-62. Related Articles,
Links
Quantitative characterization of rat tendinitis to evaluate the efficacy of
therapeutic interventions.
Wetzel BJ, Nindl G, Swez JA, Johnson MT.
Terre Haute Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine,
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA.
Tendinitis is a painful soft tissue pathology that accounts for almost half
of all occupational injuries in the United States. It is often caused by repeated
movements and may result in loss of work and income. Current treatments for
tendinitis are aimed at reducing inflammation, the major cause of the pain.
Although anti-inflammatory drugs and various alternative therapies are capable
of improving tendinitis, there are no quantitative scientific data available
regarding their impact on inflammation. The objective of this study is to
determine the time course for healing of rat tendinitis without intervention
to be able to assess the efficacy of tendinitis treatments. We are interested
in evaluating the therapeutic use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs),
a therapeutic modality that has been found to be beneficial for healing soft
tissue injuries. Tendinitis was induced in Harlan Sprague Dawley rats by collagenase
injections into the Achilles tendon, and tendons were collected for four weeks
post-injury. To determine the amount of edema, we used caliper measurements
of the rat ankles and quantified the tendon water content. To determine the
extent of inflammation, we estimated the number of inflammatory cells on histological
sections applying stereological methods. The data reveal that edema is maximal
24 hours after injury accompanied by a massive infiltration of inflammatory
cells. Inflammatory cells are then gradually replaced by fibroblasts, which
are responsible for correcting damage to the extracellular matrix. This natural
time course of tendon healing will be used to evaluate the use of PEMFs as
a possible therapeutic modality.
PMID: 12085595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11: Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2001 Dec;18(4):552-3, 572.
Related Articles, Links
[Analgesic effect induced by stimulation of rats brain with strong pulsed
magnetic field: a preliminary study]
[Article in Chinese]
Wang Y, Niu J, Shen Q, Jiang D.
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049.
The Objective of this study was to determine whether stimulation on the brain
of SD rats with strong pulsed magnetic field could produce analgesic effect.
A stimulator of CADWELL (MES-10) was adopted in the study. The pain index
used was the Tail Flick Latency (TFL) of rats. The stimulation parameters
were: (1) the intensity percent (20%) and stimulation duration (7 min); (2)
the intensity percent (30%) and stimulation duration (3 min). The results
showed that the mean Acquired TFL change was 23% (P < 0.01) for the 20%
intensity group, and 26% (P < 0.01) for the 30% intensity group. CONCLUSION:
These data indicate that the new method for analgesia is effective, and compared
with other approaches to stimulation analgesia, this one is non-invasive,
easy to operate, and less causative of discomfort.
PMID: 11791305 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neurophysiol Clin. 2001 Aug;31(4):247-52.
Interventional neurophysiology for pain control: duration of pain relief following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex.
Lefaucheur JP, Drouot X, Nguyen JP.
Service de physiologie-explorations fonctionnelles, hopital Henri-Mondor, Inserm U421, faculte de medecine, 94010 Creteil, France.
The chronic electrical stimulation of a motor cortical area corresponding to a painful region of the body, by means of surgically-implanted epidural electrodes is a validated therapeutical strategy to control medication-resistant neurogenic pain. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) permits to stimulate non-invasively and precisely the motor cortex. This study shows that a transient pain relief can be induced in patients suffering from chronic neurogenic pain during about the week that follows a 20-min session of 10 Hz-rTMS applied over the motor cortex.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12: Neurosci Lett. 2001 Aug 17;309(1):17-20. Related Articles,
Links
A comparison of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients and healthy
controls exposed to a pulsed (200 microT) magnetic field: effects on normal
standing balance.
Thomas AW, White KP, Drost DJ, Cook CM, Prato FS.
The Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Nuclear Medicine &
MR, St. Joseph's Health Care, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, N6A 4V2, Ontario,
Canada. athomas@lri.sjhc.london.on.ca
Specific weak time varying pulsed magnetic fields (MF) have been shown to
alter animal and human behaviors, including pain perception and postural sway.
Here we demonstrate an objective assessment of exposure to pulsed MF's on
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Fibromyalgia (FM) patients and healthy controls
using standing balance. 15 RA and 15 FM patients were recruited from a university
hospital outpatient Rheumatology Clinic and 15 healthy controls from university
students and personnel. Each subject stood on the center of a 3-D forceplate
to record postural sway within three square orthogonal coil pairs (2 m, 1.75
m, 1.5 m) which generated a spatially uniform MF centered at head level. Four
2-min exposure conditions (eyes open/eyes closed, sham/MF) were applied in
a random order. With eyes open and during sham exposure, FM patients and controls
appeared to have similar standing balance, with RA patients worse. With eyes
closed, postural sway worsened for all three groups, but more for RA and FM
patients than controls. The Romberg Quotient (eyes closed/eyes open) was highest
among FM patients. Mixed design analysis of variance on the center of pressure
(COP) movements showed a significant interaction of eyes open/closed and sham/MF
conditions [F=8.78(1,42), P<0.006]. Romberg Quotients
of COP movements improved significantly with MF exposure [F=9.5(1,42),
P<0.005] and COP path length showed an interaction approaching significance
with clinical diagnosis [F=3.2(1,28), P<0.09]. Therefore RA and FM patients,
and healthy controls, have significantly different postural sway in response
to a specific pulsed MF.
PMID: 11489536 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15: Curr Med Res Opin. 2001;17(3):190-6. Related Articles,
Links
Magnetic pulse treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study.
Pipitone N, Scott DL.
Rheumatology Department, King's College Hospital (Dulwich), London, UK.
We assessed the efficacy and tolerability of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic
fields (PEMF) therapy in patients with clinically symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
(OA) in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of six weeks'
duration. Patients with radiographic evidence and symptoms of OA (incompletely
relieved by conventional treatments), according to the criteria of the American
College of Rheumatology, were recruited from a single tertiary referral centre.
75 patients fulfilling the above criteria were randomised to receive active
PEMF treatment by unipolar magnetic devices The primary outcome measure was
reduction in overall pain assessed on a four-point Likert scale ranging from
nil to severe. Paired analysis of the follow-up observations on each patient
showed significant improvements in the actively treated group in the WOMAC
global score (p = 0.018), WOMAC pain score (p = 0.065), WOMAC disability score
(p = 0.019) and EuroQol score (p = 0.001) at study end compared to baseline.
In contrast, there were no improvements in any variable in the placebo-treated
group. There were no clinically relevant adverse effects attributable to active
treatment. These results suggest that unipolar magnetic devices are beneficial
in reducing pain and disability in patients with knee OA resistant to conventional
treatment in the absence of significant side-effects. Further studies using
different types of magnetic devices, treatment protocols and patient populations
are warranted to confirm the general efficacy of PEMF therapy in OA and other
conditions.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 11900312 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17: Adv Ther. 2000 Mar-Apr;17(2):57-67. Related Articles,
Links
Spine fusion for discogenic low back pain: outcomes in patients treated with
or without pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation.
Marks RA.
Richardson Orthopaedic Surgery, Texas 75080, USA.
Sixty-one randomly selected patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgeries
for discogenic low back pain between 1987 and 1994 were retrospectively studied.
All patients had failed to respond to preoperative conservative treatments.
Forty-two patients received adjunctive therapy with pulsed electromagnetic
field (PEMF) stimulation, and 19 patients received no electrical stimulation
of any kind. Average follow-up time was 15.6 months postoperatively. Fusion
succeeded in 97.6% of the PEMF group and in 52.6% of the unstimulated group
(P < .001). The observed agreement between clinical and radiographic outcome
was 75%. The use of PEMF stimulation enhances bony bridging
in lumbar spinal fusions. Successful fusion underlies a good clinical outcome
in patients with discogenic low back pain.
PMID: 11010056 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
18: Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2000 Feb;26(1):51-62, viii. Related
Articles, Links
Electromagnetic fields and magnets. Investigational treatment for musculoskeletal
disorders.
Trock DH.
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Certain pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) affect the growth of bone and
cartilage in vitro, with potential application as an arthritis treatment.
PEMF stimulation is already a proven remedy for delayed
fractures, with potential clinical application for osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis
of bone, osteoporosis, and wound healing. Static magnets may provide
temporary pain relief under certain circumstances. In both cases, the available
data is limited. The mechanisms underlying the use of PEMF and magnets are
discussed.
Publication Types:
* Review
* Review, Tutorial
PMID: 10680193 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19: Int J Neurosci. 2000;100(1-4):91-8. Related Articles,
Links
Pretraining exposure to physiologically patterned electromagnetic stimulation
attenuates fear-conditioned analgesia.
Stewart LS, Persinger MA.
Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario,
Canada.
The effect of weak electromagnetic stimulation on the emergence of conditioned
analgesia was examined in the adult rat. Subjects were conditioned to associate
a continuous 20 kHz ultrasonic tone (CS) with 0.2 mA footshock (UCS-) over
five successive days. For 30 min either before or after conditioning sessions,
rats were exposed to sham or pulsed (primed burst potentiation) magnetic fields
(500 nT). At the end of the conditioning phase, all animals were evaluated
for anticipatory analgesia following CS presentation using a hotplate analgesiometer.
Data analysis suggested a statistically significant
attenuation of fear-conditioned analgesia in rats exposed to electromagnetic
stimulation prior to conditioning, whereas post-conditioning exposure
potentiated the reduction in pain sensitivity compared to baseline measures.
The present results suggest that the emergence of fear-conditioned responses
is sensitive to whole body exposure to a magnetic field pattern that has been
shown to induce long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices.
PMID: 10512550 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23: Clin Rheumatol. 1996 Jul;15(4):325-8. Related Articles,
Links
Therapy with pulsed electromagnetic fields in aseptic loosening of total hip
protheses: a prospective study.
Konrad K, Sevcic K, Foldes K, Piroska E, Molnar E.
Orszagos Reumatologiai es Fizioterapias Intezet, Budapes, Hungary.
Aseptic loosening is the most common problem of hip arthroplasties, limiting
its long term success. We report a study of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF)
treatment in 24 patients with this complication. At the end of treatment,
six months and one year later, pain and hip movements improved significantly
with the exception of flexion and extension. There was significant improvement
in both isotope scans and ultrasonography, but not in plain X-ray.
The decreased pain and improved function suggest that PEMF is effective in
improving symptoms of patients with loose hip replacement. No improvement,
however, can be expected in patients with severe pain due to gross loosening.
PMID: 8853163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
25: Int J Neurosci. 1995 Apr;81(3-4):215-24. Related Articles,
Links
Resolution of Lhermitte's sign in multiple sclerosis by treatment with weak
electromagnetic fields.
Sandyk R, Dann LC.
NeuroCommunication Research Laboratories, Danbury, CT 06811, USA.
Lhermitte's sign, the occurrence of an electrical sensation passing down the
back to the legs on flexion of the neck is a common and characteristic feature
of multiple sclerosis (MS) which is related to spinal cord lesions affecting
the posterior columns and cervical nerve roots. The Lhermitte's sign, which
has been reported to occur at some time in up to 25% of MS patients, is seldom
painful but is often a cause of distress to the patient and usually a marker
of increased disease activity. Treatment with extracranial picotesla range
pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has been found efficacious in the management
of various MS symptoms including pain syndromes. The present communication
concerns three MS patients in whom two brief applications of EMFs resulted
in resolution of the Lhermitte's sign which emerged during a period of exacerbation
of symptoms in one patient and during a prolonged phase of symptom deterioration
in the other two patients. As the cause of the Lhermitte's sign is thought
to result from the spread of ectopic excitation in demyelinated plaques in
the cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal cord, it is hypothesized that
the effects of EMFs are related to the reduction of axonal excitability via
a mechanism involving changes in ionic membrane permeability. A
systemic effect on pain control systems is also postulated to occur secondary
to the effects of EMFs on neurotransmitter activity and pineal melatonin functions.
This report underscores the efficacy of picotesla EMFs in the management of
paroxysmal pain symptoms in MS.
Publication Types:
* Case Reports
* Review
* Review, Tutorial
PMID: 7628912 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26: J Rheumatol. 1994 Oct;21(10):1903-11. Related Articles,
Links
The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of osteoarthritis
of the knee and cervical spine. Report of randomized, double blind, placebo
controlled trials.
Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R.
Department of Medicine, Danbury Hospital, CT.
OBJECTIVE. We conducted a randomized, double blind clinical trial to determine
the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) in the treatment
of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and cervical spine. METHODS. A controlled
trial of 18 half-hour active or placebo treatments was conducted in 86 patients
with OA of the knee and 81 patients with OA of the cervical spine, in which
pain was evaluated using a 10 cm visual analog scale, activities of daily
living using a series of questions (answered by the patient as never, sometimes,
most of the time, or always), pain on passive motion (recorded as none, slight,
moderate, or severe), and joint tenderness (recorded using a modified Ritchie
scale). Global evaluations of improvement were made by the patient and examining
physician. Evaluations were made at baseline, midway, end of treatment, and
one month after completion of treatment. RESULTS. Matched
pair t tests showed extremely significant changes from baseline for the treated
patients in both knee and cervical spine studies at the end of treatment and
the one month followup observations, whereas the changes in the placebo patients
showed lesser degrees of significance at the end of treatment, and had lost
significance for most variables at the one month followup. The means
of the treated patients with OA of the cervical spine showed greater improvement
from baseline than the placebo group for most variables at the end of treatment
and one month followup observations; these differences reached statistical
significance at one or more observation points for pain, pain on motion, and
tenderness. CONCLUSION. PEMF has therapeutic benefit
in painful OA of the knee or cervical spine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
28: Eur J Surg Suppl. 1994;(574):83-6. Related Articles,
Links
Electrochemical therapy of pelvic pain: effects of pulsed electromagnetic
fields (PEMF) on tissue trauma.
Jorgensen WA, Frome BM, Wallach C.
International Pain Research Institute, Los Angeles, California.
Unusually effective and long-lasting relief of pelvic pain of gynaecological
origin has been obtained consistently by short exposures of affected areas
to the application of a magnetic induction device producing short, sharp,
magnetic-field pulses of a minimal amplitude to initiate the electrochemical
phenomenon of electroporation within a 25 cm2 focal area. Treatments are short,
fasting-acting, economical and in many instances have obviated surgery. This
report describes typical cases such as dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, ruptured
ovarian cyst, acute lower urinary tract infection, post-operative haematoma,
and persistent dyspareunia in which pulsed magnetic field treatment has not,
in most cases, been supplemented by analgesic medication. Of
17 female patients presenting with a total of 20 episodes of pelvic pain,
of which 11 episodes were acute, seven chronic and two acute as well as chronic,
16 patients representing 18 episodes (90%) experienced marked, even dramatic
relief, while two patients representing two episodes reported less than complete
pain relief.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
PMID: 7531030 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
29: Int J Rehabil Res. 1993 Dec;16(4):323-7. Related Articles,
Links
Clinical assessment of the RHUMART system based on the use of Pulsed Electromagnetic
Fields with low frequency.
Begue-Simon AM, Drolet RA.
Concordia University, Exercise Science Department, Outremont, Quebec, Canada.
PMID: 8175238 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
31: J Rheumatol. 1993 Mar;20(3):456-60. Related Articles,
Links
Comment in:
* J Rheumatol. 1993 Dec;20(12):2166-7.
A double-blind trial of the clinical effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields
in osteoarthritis.
Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Dyer RH Jr, Fielding LP, Miner WK, Markoll R.
Department of Medicine (Rheumatology), Danbury Hospital, CT 06810.
OBJECTIVE. Further evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), which
have been observed to produce numerous biological effects, and have been used
to treat delayed union fractures for over a decade. METHODS. In a pilot, double-blind
randomized trial, 27 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), primarily of the knee,
were treated with PEMF. Treatment consisted of 18 half-hour periods of exposure
over about 1 month in a specially designed noncontact, air-coil device. Observations
were made on 6 clinical variables at baseline, midpoint of therapy, end of
treatment and one month later; 25 patients completed treatment. RESULTS. An
average improvement of 23-61% occurred in the clinical variables observed
with active treatment, while 2 to 18% improvement was observed in these variables
in placebo treated control patients. No toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION.
The decreased pain and improved functional performance of treated patients
suggests that this configuration of PEMF has potential as an effective method
of improving symptoms in patients with OA. This method warrants further
clinical investigation.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 8478852 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
32: Mil Med. 1993 Feb;158(2):101-4. Related Articles, Links
Pulsed, non-thermal, high-frequency electromagnetic energy (DIAPULSE) in the
treatment of grade I and grade II ankle sprains.
Pennington GM, Danley DL, Sumko MH, Bucknell A, Nelson JH.
Orthopedic Surgery Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston,
TX 78234.
Acutely sprained ankles represent a frequent and common injury among active
duty troops in training, and are a significant source of morbidity with respect
to days lost to training. Swelling in the form of periarticular edema limits
motion, causes pain, prevents wearing of normal foot gear, and slows the healing
process. Reduction of edema was attempted in acutely sprained ankles by the
use of pulsed electromagnetic energy (Diapulse). In a randomized, prospective,
double blind study of 50 grade I and II (no gross instability) sprained ankles,
a statistically significant (p < 0.01) decrease in edema was noted following
one treatment with Diapulse. The application of this modality in acutely sprained
ankles could result in significant decreases in time lost to military training.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 8441490 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
33: Bioelectromagnetics. 1993;14(6):553-6. Related Articles,
Links
Pain control using high-intensity pulsed magnetic stimulation.
Ellis WV.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco.
High-intensity pulsed magnetic stimulation (HIPMS) non-invasively depolarizes
neurones, which can be deeply embedded in local tissues. Trans- or subcutaneous
electrical stimulation can produce analgesia. To test the hypothesis that
similar analgesia could be obtained using HIPMS, analgesia was determined
in ten blinded subjects following HIPMS. Analgesia was
consistently produced in all subjects with long-lasting pain relief occurring
in half of the cases.
PMID: 8297399 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
34: Panminerva Med. 1992 Oct-Dec;34(4):187-96. Related
Articles, Links
Therapeutic effects of pulsed magnetic fields on joint diseases.
Riva Sanseverino E, Vannini A, Castellacci P.
Universita di Bologna, Italy.
The present paper describes the effects of pulsed magnetic fields (MF) on
diseases of different joints, in chronic as well as acute conditions where
the presence of a phlogistic process is the rule. Optimal parameters for MF
applications were sought at the beginning of the study and then applied for
11 years; a technical modification in the MF generator was introduced 5 years
ago to satisfy the requirement of a hypothesis advanced to understand the
mechanism of MF treatment. 3,014 patients were treated by means of MF at extremely
low frequencies and intensities. Patient follow-up was pursued as constantly
as possible. Pain removal, recovery of joint mobility and maintenance of the
improved conditions represented the parameters for judging the results as
good or poor. The chi-square test was applied in order to evaluate the probability
that the results are not casual. A general average value of 78.8% of good
results and 21.2% of poor results was obtained. Higher (82%) percentages of
good results were observed when single joint diseases were considered with
respect to multiple joint diseases (polyarthrosis); in the latter, the percentage
of good results was definitely lower (66%). The high
percentage of good results obtained and the absolute absence of both negative
results and undesired side-effects, together with the therapeutic advantage
due to a technical modification in the MF generator, led to the conclusion
that magnetic field treatment is an excellent physical therapy in cases of
joint diseases. A hypothesis is advanced that external magnetic fields
influence transmembrane ionic activity.
PMID: 1293548 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
35: Br J Dermatol. 1992 Aug;127(2):147-54. Related Articles,
Links
A portable pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device to enhance healing of
recalcitrant venous ulcers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Stiller MJ, Pak GH, Shupack JL, Thaler S, Kenny C, Jondreau L.
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical
Center, New York.
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study
assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of pulsed electromagnetic limb ulcer
therapy (PELUT) in the healing of recalcitrant, predominantly venous leg ulcers.
The portable device was used at home for 3 h daily during this 8-week clinical
trial as an adjunct to a wound dressing. Wound surface area, ulcer depth and
pain intensity were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 8. At week 8 the active group
had a 47.7% decrease in wound surface area vs. a 42.3% increase for placebo
(P < 0.0002). Investigators' global evaluations indicated that 50% of the
ulcers in the active group healed or markedly improved vs. 0% in the placebo
group, and 0% of the active group worsened vs. 54% of the placebo group (P
< 0.001). Significant decreases in wound depth (P
< 0.04) and pain intensity (P < 0.04) favouring the active group were
seen. Patients whose ulcers improved significantly after 8 weeks were
permitted to continue double-blind therapy for an additional 4 weeks. Eleven
active and one placebo patient continued therapy until week 12, with the active
treatment group continuing to show improvement. There were no reports of adverse
events attributable to this device. We conclude that the PELUT device is a
safe and effective adjunct to non-surgical therapy for recalcitrant venous
leg ulcers.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Multicenter Study
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 1390143 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
36: Spine. 1992 Jun;17(6 Suppl):S83-5. Related Articles,
Links
Effect of smoking and pulsed electromagnetic fields on intradiscal pH in rabbits.
Hambly MF, Mooney V.
Northern California Spine Center, Sacramento.
The adverse effect of cigarette smoking on human spines
has been noted indirectly. There is correlation of increased back pain among
individuals who smoke heavily. The hypothesis of this study was that
an environment of cigarette smoking is an adverse event and will create a
reduced pH in the rabbit intervertebral disc. Electromagnetic fields, however,
can defend against this adverse event and reduce the tendency toward acidic
pH. Rabbits were exposed to cigarette smoke for 2, 4, or 6 weeks and their
intradiscal pH measured. Cigarette-smoke-exposed discs demonstrated a consistently
lower pH than did the discs of the machine control rabbits. The second group
of rabbits were exposed to cigarette smoke and pulsed electromagnetic fields.
The cigarette-smoke-exposed rabbits that were exposed
to the pulsed electromagnetic fields for 4 hr/day demonstrated no change in
their intradiscal pH, in contrast to those who were exposed to smoke alone.
In conclusion, cigarette smoke exposure in rabbits consistently produces a
lower intradiscal pH and pulsed electromagnetic fields can defend against
this adverse effect.
PMID: 1385903 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
37: Scand J Rehabil Med. 1992;24(1):51-9. Related Articles,
Links
Low energy high frequency pulsed electromagnetic therapy for acute whiplash
injuries. A double blind randomized controlled study.
Foley-Nolan D, Moore K, Codd M, Barry C, O'Connor P, Coughlan RJ.
Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
The standard treatment of acute whiplash injuries (soft collar and analgesia)
is frequently unsuccessful. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy PEMT (as pulsed
27 MHz) has been shown to have pro-healing and anti-inflammatory effects.
This study examines the effect of PEMT on the acute whiplash syndrome. One
half of the 40 patients entering the study received active PEMT collars: the
other half facsimile (placebo). All patients were given instructions to wear
the collar for eight hours a day at home and advised to mobilise their necks.
At 2 and 4 weeks the actively treated group had significantly improved (p
less than 0.05) in terms of pain (visual analogue scale). By
chance movement scores for the PEMT group were significantly worse at entry
to the study than the control group (p less than 0.05). At 12 weeks they had
become significantly better (p less than 0.05). PEMT as described is safe
for domiciliary use and this study suggests that PEMT has a beneficial effect
in the management of the acute whiplash injury.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 1604262 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
38: Ir Med J. 1991 Jun;84(2):54-5. Related Articles, Links
Treatment of chronic varicose ulcers with pulsed electromagnetic fields: a
controlled pilot study.
Todd DJ, Heylings DJ, Allen GE, McMillin WP.
Department of Dermatology, Belfast City Hospital.
To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) in healing
of chronic varicose ulcers, 19 patients with this condition were included
in a double-blind controlled clinical trial. All patients received standard
ulcer therapy throughout the duration of the study and were randomly divided
into two groups to receive either active or inactive PEMF therapy. Active
therapy was provided by the use of a pait of helmholtz coils on a twice weekly
basis over a five week period and inactive therapy was provided on an identical
regimen with identical coils wound so that no magnetic field was produced
when an electric current was passed through them. The clinician and patients
were unable to distinguish the active or inactive coils. No statistically
relevant difference was noted between the two groups in the healing rates
of the ulcer, change in the lower leg girth, pain or infection rates. However
there was a trend in favour of a decrease in ulcer size and lower leg girth
in the group treated with active PEMF. As PEMF is a novel treatment
for chronic varicose ulcers, more work needs to be done to establish treatment
parameters and its usefulness in the treatment of this condition.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Controlled Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 1894496 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
39: Orthopedics. 1990 Apr;13(4):445-51. Related Articles,
Links
Pulsed high frequency (27MHz) electromagnetic therapy for persistent neck
pain. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 patients.
Foley-Nolan D, Barry C, Coughlan RJ, O'Connor P, Roden D.
Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
In the majority of patients with neck pain, symptoms will resolve spontaneously
or quite quickly in response to therapy. However, some patients' symptoms
persist for a long period, irrespective of therapy. In this study, 20 patients
with persistent (greater than 8 weeks) neck pain were enrolled in a double
blind, placebo-controlled trial of low energy, pulsed electromagnetic therapy
(PEMT)--a treatment previously shown to be effective in soft tissue injuries.
For the first 3-week period, group A (10 patients) received active PEMT units
while group B (10 patients) received facsimile placebo units. After 3 weeks,
both pain (visual analogue scale (P less than .023) and range of movement
(P less than .002) had improved in the group on active treatment compared
to the controls. After the second 3 weeks, during which
both groups used active units, there were significant improvements in observed
scores for pain and range of movement in both groups. PEMT, in the form described,
can be used at home easily in the treatment of patients with neck pain. It
is frequently successful and without side effects.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 2185460 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40: Lancet. 1989 Aug 5;2(8658):331. Related Articles, Links
Comment on:
* Lancet. 1989 Jul 1;2(8653):22-3.
Pulsed electromagnetic energy and childbirth.
Ross MD.
Publication Types:
* Comment
* Letter
PMID: 2569131 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41: Minerva Anestesiol. 1989 Jul-Aug;55(7-8):295-9. Related
Articles, Links
[Pulsed magnetic fields. Observations in 353 patients suffering from chronic
pain]
[Article in Italian]
Di Massa A, Misuriello I, Olivieri MC, Rigato M.
Three hundred-fifty-three patients with chronic pain have been treated with
pulsed electromagnetic fields. In this work the Authors show the result obtained
in the unsteady follow-up (2-60 months). The eventual progressive reduction
of benefits is valued by Spearman's test. We noted the
better results in the group of patients with post-herpetic pain (deafferentation)
and in patients simultaneously suffering from neck and low back pain.
PMID: 2622541 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
44: Bioelectromagnetics. 1987;8(2):159-64. Related Articles,
Links
Pulsed subcutaneous electrical stimulation in spinal cord injury: preliminary
results.
Ellis W.
The treatment of long-term, stable para- and quadriplegics with pulsed electrical
stimulation for pain control resulted in, anecdotally, a significant number
of these individuals showing increased motor function as well as sensory awareness.
This small pilot study was conducted in order to assess the hypothesis that
pulsed electrical fields can effect diseased neurological function. Thirteen
para- and quadriplegic subjects with 18 months of stable neurological signs
and symptoms were exposed daily to pulsed electrical stimulation for a 6-month
period and assessed for any improvement in motor function or sensory perception.
The hypothesis is that pulsed electromagnetic fields can normalize viable
but dysfunctional neuronal structures. Results were encouraging.
PMID: 3619950 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
46: Midwives Chron. 1985 Nov;98(1174):297-8. Related Articles,
Links
Treatment of the perineum by pulsed electro magnetic therapy.
Frank R.
PMID: 3854447 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
47: Lancet. 1984 Mar 31;1(8379):695-8. Related Articles,
Links
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy of persistent rotator cuff tendinitis.
A double-blind controlled assessment.
Binder A, Parr G, Hazleman B, Fitton-Jackson S.
The value of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) for the treatment of persistent
rotator cuff tendinitis was tested in a double-blind controlled study in 29
patients whose symptoms were refractory to steroid injection and other conventional
conservative measures. The treated group (15 patients) had a significant benefit
compared with the control group (14 patients) during the first 4 weeks of
the study, when the control group received a placebo. In the second 4 weeks,
when all patients were on active coils, no significant differences were noted
between the groups. This lack of difference persisted over the third phase,
when neither group received any treatment for 8 weeks. At the end of the study
19 (65%) of the 29 patients were symptomless and 5 others much improved. PEMF
therapy may thus be useful in the treatment of severe and persistent rotator
cuff and possibly other chronic tendon lesions.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 6143039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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48: Hip. 1983;:306-30. Related Articles, Links
Osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated by pulsed electromagnetic fields
(PEMFs): a preliminary report.
Eftekhar NS, Schink-Ascani MM, Mitchell SN, Bassett CA.
This has been a preliminary report with a short-term follow-up of a small
number of observations (28 hips of 24 patients). The follow-ups ranged from
6 to 36 months, with an average of 17.8 months. Only eleven hips (in eleven
patients) were followed an average of 8 months after cessation of the treatment.
It should be emphasized that this was a "pilot" study, in which no control
series was used to determine the natural course of the disease in a comparable
clinical setting. Of note was the pain relief, in 19
of 23 patients with moderate to severe pretreatment pain. Also there was an
improved function, which suggests that at least in approximately two thirds
of the patients there was some clinical benefit from this mode of treatment.
In eight hips, clinical conditions did not change; and in two they worsened,
requiring further treatment. Eighteen remaining hips were thought to
have been benefited by the treatment. Six femoral heads that had already developed
varying degrees of collapse (Ficat Type III) collapsed further (1 to 2 mm),
and two round heads (Ficat II) progressed to off-round (Ficat III). This preliminary
study suggests that further exploration of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs)
is warranted in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
Publication Types:
* Case Reports
PMID: 6671918 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]