Research Post - Application of PEMF Technology for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders (Part II)

 Before we go on with our story, I would like to pinpoint some more in formation about the affect of PEMF treatments on brain:

 FlexPulse provides this information: Lower intensity, frequency-based, PEMF therapy aids sleep and has positive effects on calming the brain through at least one mechanism, entrainment. Neuro-entrainment refers to the synchronization (also known as resonance) of an external frequency with the frequencies of the brain. And here is their illustration

Source: https://flexpulse.com/pemf-therapy-sleep-benefits/

 PEMF devices are safe – this is illustrated by OskaWelness infographic:

Source: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1163/1604/files/Oska-10factsPEMF-infographic_FINAL.pdf

 The works of the classics of Russian physiotherapy define the basic concepts that the Russian doctors use in everyday practice.

Biotropic parameters - physical characteristics of the magnetic field: determining primary, biologically significant physical-chemical and informational mechanisms of field action, that determine the formation of appropriate reactions both in individual organs and at the level of a holistic organism. (Biotropic Parameters of Magnetic Fields. Shishlo M. A. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 1981 May-Jun;(3):61-3; Electromagnetic Fields in Neurophysiology. Kholodov Y.A., Shishlo M. A. Msocow, Nauka Publishing House, 1979). These include field type, induction, energy, gradient, vector and frequency of the field, shape in time and space, exposure and localization of impact. From each of the parameters, as well as their combination, significantly depends on the effectiveness of treatment of a disease.

• Electromagnetic field with frequency beta - rhythm of human EEG (814 Hz) cause a greater effect than neighboring frequencies of the same intensity
• The rectangular form of pulse is more active than sinusoidal
• Physiotherapy tradition determines the duration of exposure within 10-30 minutes daily from 5 to 25 days.
• The footprint nature of the magnetic field. After a single effect, the body's reactions are maintained for 1-6 days, and after course procedures - 30-45 days, which causes a break between repeated courses of treatment for this period.

These are very important statements – based on them PEMF practical administration is executed.  All this is summarized:

Now, let us turn to clinical trials that were conducted in Russia. DIAMAG device (or its analog) was used.

The first one is Evaluation of the effectiveness of transcranial magnetotherapy in rehabilitation of patients with hypertension, combined with chronic cerebrovascular diseases – executed at Novosibirsk Scientific & Research Institute of Experimental & Clinical Medicine in 2017

Fifty patients between the ages of 20 and 75 (62.1 to 2.0 years) were examined and treated. Reference Group received basic drug therapy for two weeks. Main group - against the background of basic drug therapy – were treated with transcranial magnetotherapy device with the Headband (course of 10 procedures). Reversive magnetic field: magnetic flux – 2 mT, frequency – 100 Hz. The outcomes are summarized here: 

 St.Petersburg V.M. Bekhterev Psychoneurological Research Institute in 2017 conducted Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Control Study Of Magnetotherapy Efficacy Using Electromagnetic Effects Of Almag-03 Device In Neurotic Type Anxiety-Depressive Disorders 

MAIN GROUP - 30 patients: A course of 10 procedures (20 minutes each) by device daily on weekdays.

Magnetic field characteristics

• Running pulsed magnetic field,
• Exposure to packs of pulses with automatically changing frequency of 1 to 5 pulses per second,
• Amplitude of magnetic induction on the surface 10 mT

 Experimental psychological research - examination by physiotherapist, neurologist, psychodiagnosis and consultation of a psychotherapist - was carried out before the start of treatment and 20 days after the end of treatment. All patients received pharmacological treatment with antidepressants in medium-therapeutic doses: paroxetine (20 - 40 mg/day), fluvoxamine (100 - 150 mg/day), sertraline (50 - 100 mg/day).

Patients in the Sham Group received 10 placebo procedures in a similar mode

Results demonstrate effectiveness and safety of magnetotherapy for treatment of depressive disorders. Therapeutic effect in its influence on cognitive sphere, substantially differs from the placebo effect .

The outcomes are summarized:

This concludes the series of two posts. More details on the subject can be viewed at this page by Dr. Alexey V Ivanov