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.

Dental Problems

This placebo-controlled study examined the effects of micromagnets in the treatment of periodontal disease. Micromagnets were attached to the skin over areas of inflammation for a period ranging from 1 to 8 days, with the number of magnets used at once varying from 1 to 6. The course of treatment lasted as long as 4 weeks. Results indicated that patients receiving the micromagnet therapy experienced earlier and more trouble-free recoveries following oral surgery, as well as less pain relative to controls.

V.E. Kriokshina, et al., "Use of Micromagnets in Stomatology," Magnitologiia, (1), 1991, . 17-20.

This controlled study examined the effects of adjunctive Diapulse electromagnetic therapy on oral surgery recovery. Patients received the therapy once per day beginning between 3 to 5 days prior to oral surgery. Therapy was maintained until the point of hospital release. Results found the therapy produced significant healing relative to controls, which received conventional treatment only.

L.C. Rhodes, "The Adjunctive Utilization of Diapulse Therapy Pulsed High Peak Power Electromagnetic Energy) in Accelerating Tissue Healing in Oral Surgery," Q National Dental Association, 40(1), 1981, . 4-11

This study found that patients suffering from various oral diseases experienced more rapid healing when treated with both conventional therapies and 30 minutes per day of pulsed electromagnetic fields (5 mT, 30 Hz), as opposed to conventional therapies alone.

V. Hillier-Kolarov & N. Pekaric-Nadj, "PEMF Therapy as an Additional Therapy for Oral deseases,"EuropeanBioelectromagnetics Association, 1st Congress, 23-25 January 1992, Brussels , Belgium .

Depression

This review article examined the literature concerning the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of depression. Results showed the high-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment to be an effective, side-effect free therapy for depression that may hold promise for treating related psychiatric disorders as well.

M.T. Kirkcaldie, et al., Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as Therapy for Depression and Other Disorders," Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 31(2), April 1997, . 264-272.

Noting that there is good reason to believe the pineal gland is a magnetosensitive system and that application of magnetic fields in experimental animals has a similar effect to that of acute exposure to light with respect to melatonin secretion, the authors propose that magnetic treatment could be a beneficial new therapy for winter depression in humans.

R. Sandyk, et al., "Magnetic Felds and Seasonality of Affective Illness: Implications for Therapy," International Journal of Neurosci, 58(3-4), June 1991, . 261-267.

This review article notes that transcranial magnetic stimulation has been shown to elicit antidepressant effects, electically stimulating deep regions of the brain.

C. Haag, et al., "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. A Diagnostic Means from Neurology as Therapy in Psychiatry?" Nervenarzt, 68(3), March 1997, . 274-278.

In this theoretical paper, the author argues that deep, low-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation can produce therapeutic effects equivalent to those of electroconvulsive therapy but without the dangerous side effects.

T. Zyss, "Will Electroconvulsive Therapy Induce Seizures: Magnetic Brain Stimulation as Hypothesis of a New PsychiatricTherapy," Psychiatr Pol, 26(6),November-December 1992, . 531-541.

This study examined the effects of millimeter wave (MW) therapy as a supplemental treatment in patients suffering from various types of depression. MW therapy involved the use of a "Yav'-1" apparatus (5.6 mm wavelength, 53 GHz), and consisted of up to 60 minutes of exposure per day, 2 to 3 times per week, for a total of as many as 15 exposures. Results showed that combined MW/conventional treatment produced a complete recovery in over 50 percent of cases studied, a significant improvement in 41 percent, and some improvement in 8 percent. Recovery rates among controls (conventional treatment only) were 4, 48, and 41 percent, respectively.

G.V. Morozov, et al., "Treatment of Neurotic Depression with a Help of Extremely High Frequency ElectromagneticRadiation," Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 96(6),1996, . 28-31.

Results of this study led researchers to conclude that patients suffering from major depression experienced a significant reduction of depressive symptoms following treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation coupled with standard medication relative to patients taking the medicine. This was true after just three TMS treatments.

Conca, et al., "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Novel Antidepressive Strategy?" Neuropsychobiology, 34(4), 1996, . 204-207.

Dermatitis

This study examined the effects of conventional treatments combined with millimeter wave (MW) therapy (54- to 70-GHz frequency, 8-15 daily exposures of 15-30 minutes each) on patients suffering from atopic dermatitis. Results indicated that the MW therapy was well-tolerated all patients, with the rash generally regressing after 7-8 exposures. Marked recovery was seen among 78 percent of patients receiving the combination treatments. Two-year follow-up showed a 23-percent relapse rate among combination patients, compared to 54 percent among ontrols.

V.P. Adaskevich, "Effectiveness of the Use of Millimeter-Range Electromagnetic Radiation in Complex Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis Patients," Millimetrovie Volni v Biologii I Meditcine, (3), 1994, . 78-81

Diabetes

In this study, 320 diabetics received impulsed magnetic field treatment while 100 diabetics (controls) received conservative therapy alone. Results showed beneficial effects with respect to vascular complications in 74 percent of the patients receiving magnetotherapy combined with conservative methods, compared to a 28-percent effectiveness rate among controls.

I.B. Kirillovm, et al., "Magentotherapy in the Comprehensive Treatment of Vascular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus," Klin Med, 74(5), 1996, . 39-41.

This study involving 72 diabetics with purulent wounds found that magnetic fields aided healing significantly.

R.A. Kuliev & R.F. Babaev, "A Magnetic Field in the Combined Treatment of Suppurative Wounds in Diabetes Mellitus," Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 148(1), January 1992, . 33-36.

Diseases of the Larynx

Results of this study found that alternative magnetic field of sound frequency proved to be an effective treatment in patients suffering from acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx.

D.I. Tarasov, et al., "Effectiveness of Local Magnetic Field of the Acoustic Frequency in the Treatment of Patients with Acute Inflammatory Diseases of the Larynx," Vestn Otorinolaringol, (6),November-December 1995, . 11-15.

Duchenne-Erb Disease

This study examined the effects of electromagnetic fields in the treatment of 5-year-old children suffering from Duchenne-Erb disease. Children were exposed to either UHF or DMW therapy for 8-12 minutes per day on alternating days over a period of approximately 10 days. Following the electromagnetic fields course, children received mud applications on the collar area and injured extremity. Results showed that treatment decreased contractures in shoulder and elbow joints, increased mobility and muscle strength, and improved general function of the arm.

A.D. Burigina, et al., "Electromagnetic Waves in Complex Therapy of Children with Birth Trauma: Effects of Ultra-High-Frequency Electric Fields on Central Hemodynamics and the Shoulder Plexus," Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, (4), 1992, 35-38.