Pulsed
electromagnetic field (PEMF) research shows improved cell survival
after ischemic shock is induced. Repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS / TMS) research on human
subjects repeatedly shows statistically significantly improvement in
human participants. rTMS and PEMF studies even 5-10 years post event
show measurable improvement. Based on available research (see below)
PEMF used in concert with standard rehabilitative therapy should result
in significantly improved outcome. In unrelated studies PEMF have shown
clear neuroprotective and regenerative effects.
RESULTS: Active rTMS resulted in a significant improvement of the motor function performance in the affected hand that lasted for 2 weeks. These effects were not observed in the sham rTMS group (affected and unaffected hand). Furthermore, this increased dose of rTMS is not associated with cognitive adverse effects and/or epileptogenic activity
Neurology. 2005 Aug 9;65(3):466-8.
Therapeutic
trial
of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation after acute
ischemic stroke.
Khedr EM, Ahmed MA, Fathy N, Rothwell JC. Department of Neurology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt.
Disability scales at the end of the last rTMS session, and 10 days later showed that real rTMS improved patients' scores more than sham.
Improving disability in
stroke with RTMS.
Lancet Neurol. 2005 Aug;4(8):454-5. No abstract
available.
PMID: 16033688 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Semin Speech Lang. 2004
May;25(2):181-91.
Transcranial
magnetic
stimulation as a complementary treatment for aphasia.
Following 10 rTMS treatments, significant improvement in naming pictures was observed. This form of rTMS may provide a novel, complementary treatment for aphasia.
Clin Neurophysiol. 2004
May;115(5):1044-51.
Induction
of
long-term plasticity in human swallowing motor cortex following
repetitive cortical stimulation.
SIGNIFICANCE: This might be a useful approach in the motor rehabilitation of dysphagic stroke patients who have damage to sensory projections to the swallowing cortex.
Biol Psychiatry. 2004 Feb
15;55(4):398-405.
Repetitive
transcranial
magnetic stimulation as treatment of poststroke
depression: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND: Depression has a significant impact on poststroke recovery and mortality. There are a proportion of patients with poststroke depression (PSD) who do not respond to antidepressants. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) might be a safe and effective alternative in these refractory cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these preliminary findings suggest that rTMS may be an effective and safe treatment alternative for patients with refractory depression and stroke.
Bioelectromagnetics. 1994;15(3):205-16.
Related Articles, Links
Protection against focal cerebral ischemia following exposure to a
pulsed electromagnetic field.
Grant G, Cadossi R, Steinberg G.
Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, California 94305.
There is evidence that electromagnetic stimulation may accelerate the
healing of tissue damage following ischemia. We undertook this study to
investigate the effects of low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field
(PEMF) exposure on cerebral injury in a rabbit model of transient focal
ischemia (2 h occlusion followed by 4 h of reperfusion). PEMF exposure
(280 V, 75 Hz, IGEA Stimulator) was initiated 10 min after the onset of
ischemia and continued throughout reperfusion (six exposed, six
controls). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology were used to
measure the degree of ischemic injury. Exposure to pulsed
electromagnetic field attenuated cortical ischemia edema on MRI at the
most anterior coronal level by 65% (P < 0.001). On histologic
examination, PEMF exposure reduced ischemic neuronal damage in this
same cortical area by 69% (P < 0.01) and by 43% (P < 0.05) in the
striatum. Preliminary data suggest that exposure to a PEMF of short
duration may have implications for the treatment of acute stroke.
J Cell Biochem. 1993 Apr;51(4):387-93. Related
Articles, Links
Beneficial effects of electromagnetic fields.
Bassett CA.
Bioelectric Research Center, Columbia University, Riverdale, New York
10463.
Selective control of cell function by applying specifically configured,
weak, time-varying magnetic fields has added a new, exciting dimension
to biology and medicine. Field parameters for therapeutic, pulsed
electromagnetic field (PEMFs) were designed to induce voltages similar
to those produced, normally, during dynamic mechanical deformation of
connective tissues. As a result, a wide variety of challenging
musculoskeletal disorders have been treated successfully over the past
two decades. More than a quarter million patients with chronically
ununited fractures have benefitted, worldwide, from this surgically
non-invasive method, without risk, discomfort, or the high costs of
operative repair. Many of the athermal bioresponses, at the cellular
and subcellular levels, have been identified and found appropriate to
correct or modify the pathologic processes for which PEMFs have been
used. Not only is efficacy supported by these basic studies but by a
number of double-blind trials. As
understanding of mechanisms expands, specific requirements for field
energetics are being defined and the range of treatable ills broadened.
These include nerve regeneration, wound healing, graft behavior,
diabetes, and myocardial and cerebral ischemia (heart attack and
stroke), among other conditions. Preliminary data even suggest possible
benefits in controlling malignancy.
Basset pre-dates R.O. Becker's use of
electricity to heal bone.