Peer-reviewed abstract on the effects of magnetics on physical ailments

The impact of treatment with magnetic fields on a variety of physical ailments are presented in the following descriptions of recent studies, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Blepharitis (infection of the eyelid)

Study results indicated that using a magnetic ointment containing reduced iron powder, with an alternating magnetic field had beneficial effects with patients suffering from chronic blepharitis.

V.A. Machekhin, et al., "A New Method for Treating Chronic Blepharitis Using Magnetic Compounds and an Alternating Magnetic Field," Vestn Oftalmol, 109(4), July-September 1993, p. 16-18.

Bone Fractures

A group of 83 adults with ununited fractures were examined for the effects of bone grafting and pulsed electromagnetic fields for this study. Results showed a successful healing rate of 87 percent in the original 38 patients treated with bone grafts and PEMF for ununited fractures with wide gaps, malalignment, and synovial pseudarthrosis. Of the 45 patients that were not successfully treated with PEMF and had bone grafting, when re-treated with pulsing electromagnetic fields, achieved a 93 percent success rate.

C.A.

Bassett, et al., "Treatment of Therapeutically Resistant Non-unions with Bone Grafts and Pulsing ElectromagneticFields," Journal of Bone Joint Surg, 64(8), October 1982, p. 1214-1220.

C.A.

Bassett, et al., "Treatment of Ununited Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures with Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields," Journal of Bone Joint Surg, 63(4), April 1981, p. 511-523.

Examining the effects of pulsing electromagnetic fields on 125 patients suffering from ununited fractures of the tibial diaphysis, showed a healing success rate of 87%.

Results of this study showed treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields resulted in an overall success rate of at least 75 percent in patients suffering from tibial lesions.

M.W. Meskens, et al., "Treatment of Delayed Union and Nonunion of the Tibia Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields. A Retrospective Follow-up," Bull Hosp Jt Dis Orthop Inst, 48(2), Fall 1988, p. 170-175.

This review article makes the following observations with respect to the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields in treating ununited fractures, failed arthrodeses, and congenital pseudarthroses. The treatment has been shown to be more than 90 percent effective in adult patients. In cases where union does not occur with PEMFs alone after approximately four months, PEMF treatment coupled with fresh bone grafts ensures a maximum failure rate of only 1 to 1.5 percent. For those with delayed union three to four months following fracture, PEMFs appear to be more successful than in patients treated with other conservative methods. For more serious conditions, including infected nonunions, multiple surgical failures, long-standing atrophic lesions, failed knee arthrodeses after removal of infected prostheses, and congenital pseudarthroses, PEMF treatment has exhibited success in most patients.17

C.A. Bassett, "The Development and Application of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) for Ununited Fractures andArthrodeses," Clin Plast Surg, 12(2), April 1985, p. 259-277.

Results of this study found that 35 of 44 nonunited scaphoid fractures 6 months or older healed in a mean time of 4.3 months during pulsed electromagnetic field treatment using external coils and a thumb spica cast.

G.K. Frykman, et al., "Treatment of Nonunited Scaphoid Fractures Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Cast," Journal ofHand Surg, 11(3), May 1986, p. 344-349.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields in femoral neck fracture patients undergoing conventional therapy. PEMF treatment was started within two weeks of fracture, and patients were instructed to make use of the electromagnetic device for 8 hours per day over a 90-day period. Results showed beneficial effects relative to controls after 18 months of follow-up.

E. Betti, et al., "Effect of Electromagnetic Field Stimulation on Fractures of the Femoral Neck. A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study," Second World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine, 8-13 June 1997, Bologna , Italy .

Results of this double-blind study showed significant healing effects of low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields in patients treated with femoral intertrochanteric osteotomy for hip degenerative arthritis.

G. Borsalino, et al., "Electrical Stimulation of Human Femoral Intertrochanteric Osteotomies. Double-Blind Study," Clin Orthop, (237), December 1988, . 256-263.

In this study, 147 patients with fractures of the tibia, femur, and humerus who had failed to benefit from surgery-received treatment with external skeletal fixation in situ and pulsed electromagnetic fields. Results indicated an overall success rate of 73 percent. Femur union was seen in 81 percent and tibia union in 75 percent.

M. Marcer, et al., "Results of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) in Ununited Fractures after External Skeletal Fixation," Clin Orthop, (190), November 1984, . 260-265

This study examined the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (1-1000 Hz, 4 gauss) on new bone fractures of female patients. Results led the authors to suggest that EMF treatment accelerates the early stages of fracture healing.

O. Wahlstrom, "Stimulation of Fracture Healing with Electromagnetic Fields of Extremely Low Frequency (EMF of ELF)," Clin Orthop, (186), June 1984, . 293-301.

This study examined the preventive effects of low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields against delayed union in rat fibular osteotomies and diaphyseal tibia fractures in humans. Results indicated such treatment modulated and accelerated fracture union in both groups.

A.W.

Dunn & G.A. Rush, 3d, "Electrical Stimulation in Treatment of Delayed Union and Nonunion of Fractures andOsteotomies," Southern Medical Journal,77(12),December 1984, . 1530-1534.

F.

Rajewski & W. Marciniak, "Use of Magnetotherapy for Treatment of Bone Malunion in Limb Lengthening. Preliminary Report," Chir Narzadow Ruchu Ortop Pol, 57(1-3),1992,. 247-249.

This article discusses the cases of two children with bone malunion following lengthening of congenitally shortened lower legs. Pulsed sinusoidal magnetic field treatment was beneficial for both patients.

Results of this study showed that 13 of 15 cases of long bone nonunion treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields in combination with Denham external fixator united within several months.

R.B. Simonis, et al., "The Treatment of Non-union Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Combined with a Denham External Fixator," Injury, 15(4), January 1984, . 255-260.

Results of this study found electromagnetic field stimulation to be an effective treatment for nonunion among a group of 37 French

L. Sedel, et al., "Acceleration of Repair of Non-unions electromagnetic Fields," Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot, 67(1), 1981, . 11-23.

Results of this study found treatment induced pulsing to be beneficial in patients suffering from nonunions unresponsive to surgery.>

J.C. Mulier & F. Spaas, "Out-patient Treatment of Surgically Resistant Non-unions Induced Pulsing Current - ClinicalResults," Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 97(4), 1980,.293-297.

In this interview with Dr. C. Andrew L. Bassett, a physician researching the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields for the past 30 years at Columbia University 's Orthopedic Research Lab, Dr. Bassett notes that approximately 10,000 of the 12,000-plus orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. have used pulsed electromagnetic fields on at least one patient. Many such surgeons have incorporated the therapy on a more regular basis. He estimates that a total of at least 65,000 patients nationwide have received the treatment, with a probable success rate of between 80 and 90 percent. Use of the treatment has been primarily in patients suffering from nonunited fractures, fusion failures, and pseudoarthrosis.

C.A. Bassett, "Conversations with C. Andrew L. Bassett, M.D. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields. A Noninvasive TherapeuticModality for Fracture Nonunion (Interview)," Orthop. Review, 15(12)1986 781-795.

Results of this study showed pulsed electromagnetic fields to have beneficial healing effects in patients suffering from difficult to treat and surgically resistant bone nonunions.

35#

This review article notes that the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields began in 1974, and that 250,000 nonunion patients have received the treatment since. The author argues that success rates are comparable to those of bone grafting, and that PEMF treatment is more cost-effective and free of side effects. The FDA approved PEMF use in 1982, although it remains widely unused due to physician misunderstanding and lack of knowledge concerning the treatment.

A. Bassett, "Therapeutic Uses of Electric and Magnetic Fields in Orthopedics,& quot; in D.O. Carpenter & S. Ayrapetyan, (eds.), Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields. Volume II: beneficial and Harmful Effects, San Diego : Academic Press, 1994, . 13-48.

This 7-year study examined data on more than 11,000 cases of nonunions treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields for up to 10 to 12 hours per day. Results indicated an overall success rate of 75 percent.

A.A. Goldberg, "Computer Analysis of Data on More than 11,000 Cases of Ununited Fracture Submitted for Treatment with Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields," Bioelectrical Repair and Growth Society, Second Annual Meeting, 20-22 September 1982, Oxford, UK, . 61.

This study examined the effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (1-1000 Hz) on middle-aged female patients suffering from fresh radius fractures. Results showed significant increases in scintimetric activity surrounding the fracture area after two weeks of EMF treatment relative to controls.

O. Wahlstrom, "Electromagnetic Fields Used in the Treatment of Fresh Fractures of the Radius," Bioelectrical Repair and Growth Society, Second Annual Meeting,20-22 September 1982, Oxford , UK , . 26.

This study examined the effects of constant magnetic fields in patients suffering from fractures. Results showed that magnetic exposure reduced pain and the onset of edema shortly after trauma. Where edema was already present, the treatment exhibited marked anti-inflammatory effects. The strongest beneficial effects occurred in patients suffering from fractures of the ankle joints.

G.B. Gromak &amp; G.A. Lacis, "Evaluations of the Efficacy of Using a Constant Magnetic Field in Treatment of Patientswith Traumas," in I. Detlav, (ed.), Electromagnetic Therapy of Injuries and Diseases of the Support-Motor Apparatus.International Collection of Papers, Riga , Latvia : Riga Medical Institute,1987, . 88-95.<

Results of this study found that 10 hours per day of electromagnetic stimulation (1.0-1.5 mV) produced complete union in 23 of 26 patients receiving the treatment for nonjoined fractures.

A.F. Lynch &amp; P. MacAuley, "Treatment of Bone Non-Union Electromagnetic Therapy," Ir Journal of Med Sci, 154(4), 1985, . 153-155.

This review article looks at the history of pulsed electromagnetic fields as a means of bone repair. The author argues that success rates have been either superior or equivalent to those of surgery, with PEMF free of side effects and risk.

C.A.L. Bassett, "Historical Overview of PEM-Assisted Bone and Tissue Healing, " Bioelectromagnetics Society, 10th Annual Meeting,19-24 June 1988, Stamford , CT , . 19.

Bronchitis

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study indicated that both low-frequency electromagnetic field treatment and treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields proved effective in patients suffering from chronic bronchitis when coupled with standard drug therapies. Magnetic field treatment consisted of a total of 15 15-20-minute daily exposures.

V.M. Iurlov, et al., "The Efficacy of the Use of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in Chronic Bronchitis," Voen Med Zh, 3, 1989, . 35-36.