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.

Gastroduodenitis

Results of this study indicated that treatment with decimeter-band electromagnetic fields improved motor function of the stomach and reduced dyspepsia and pain in children suffering from chronic gastroduodenitis. Treatment made use of the "Romashka" apparatus (a cylinder applicator, 100 mm in diameter, power of 6-8 W) applied to the gastroduodenal region, and consisted of 6-12 minute exposures every other day for a total of 8-12 exposures.

L.M. Petrukhina, et al., "Effect of a Decimeter Wave Electromagnetic Fields on the Motor Function of the Stomach inChildren with Strong Gastroduodenitis," Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, (1),1987, . 54-56.

This controlled study examined the effects of sinusoidally modulated currents (100 Hz) coupled with conventional therapy in children suffering from chronic gastroduodenitis. Children received 8-10 exposures lasting between 6 and 10 minutes. Results showed that the treatment reduced inflammation in 72 percent of patients relative to just a 45-percent rate among controls. About 77 percent of treatment patients experienced elimination of gastro-esophageal and duodeno-gastral refluxes, compared to 29 percent of controls.

O.V. Bukanovich, et al., "Sinusoidally-Modulated Currents in the Therapy of Chronic Gastroduodenitis in Children," Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, 2, 1996, . 22-26.

General Results of this study indicated that the optimal frequency of pulsed magnetic fields ranges between 10.0 and 25.0 Hz in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions of the locomotor apparatus, ischemia of the blood vessels of the lower extremities, dyspeptic syndrome, lactation mastitis, and other diseases. Treatment proved best when the therapeutic cycle was repeated after a 2-3 month period.

L. Navratil, et al., "Possible Therapeutic Applications of Pulsed Magnetic Fields," Cas Lek Cesk, 132(19), October 11, 1993, . 590-594.

This article reviews the use of magnetotherapy in Czechoslovakia . Noting that this modality has been used for more than a decade, the author states that magnetotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating rheumatic diseases, sinusitis, enuresis, and ischemic disorders of the lower extremities. Positive findings have also been shown with respect to multiple sclerosis and degenerative diseases of the retina.

J. Jerabek, "Pulsed Magnetotherapy in Czechoslovakia --A Review," Rev Environ Health, 10(2), April-June 1994, . 127

134.

This review article notes that pulse-type electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are the most frequently used type of electromagnetic therapy. Another form is pulsed radio frequency; PRF therapy generally includes daily sessions of 30minute exposure and is primarily used in cases of pain and edema, with results being apparent quickly when the therapy is effective. PEMF treatment is most successful when used in bone healing, with results occurring over a longer period of time.

A.A. Pilla, "State of the Art in Electromagnetic Therapeutics: Soft Tissue Applications," Second World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine, 8-13 June 1997, Bologna , Italy .

This study examined the effects of electromagnetic fields administered over a period of 10 days on 354 patients suffering from various orthopedic conditions. Results showed the effects to be positive, with the greatest benefit experienced among patients with acute lesions.

G. Annaratone, et al., "Magnetotherapy in Clinical and Ambulatory Practice," Minerva Med, 74(14-15), April 7, 1983, . 823

833.

Noting that beneficial effects of low-energy, time-varying magnetic fields have been shown since the early 1970s, this review article cites studies pointing to its success in the treatment of a wide range of conditions. The best results for this modality obtained in the area of bone healing.

C.A.

Bassett, "Fundamental and Practical Aspects of Therapeutic Uses of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs), " Crit Rev Biomed Eng, 17(5), 1989, . 451-529.

This review article claims that over a quarter of a million patients worldwide with chronically ununited fractures have experienced beneficial results from treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields. In addition, the author cites studies pointing to the treatment's efficacy with respect to other conditions such as nerve regeneration; wound healing, graft behavior, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.

C.A.

Bassett, "Beneficial Effects of Electromagnetic Fields," Journal of Cell Biochem, 51(4), April 1993, p. 387-393.

This review article notes that low-intensity millimeter waves have been used for treating a wide variety of medical conditions in the former Soviet Union since 1977, with more than a million patients treated and more than a thousand treatment centers in existence. This therapy has been approved for widespread use the Russian Ministry of Health, and over 300 scientific publications have described its effects. A typical course of treatment involves 10-15 daily exposures ranging from 15 to 60 minutes each.

A.G. Pakhomov, "Millimeter Wave Medicine in Russia : A Review of Literature," Infrared Lasers and Millimeter WavesWorkshop: The Links Between Microwaves and Laser Optics,January 21-22, 1997, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas .

This study concluded that the use of millimeter wave (MW) therapy was effective in the treatment of both children and adults suffering from a variety of orthopedic diseases, including osteochondrosis, arthrosis, infantile cerebral paralysis, Perthes' disease, and inborn femur dislocation. MW therapy made use of the G4-142 apparatus (55-65 GHz). Exposure was for 15-30 minutes in children or 30-60 minutes in adults over a period of 10-12 total exposures.

S.D. Schvchenko, et al., "Experience with Treating Some Orthopedic Diseases with Millimeter Range Radiation ofNonthermal Intensity," Millimeter Waves in Medicine and Biology. Digest of Papers of the 11th Russian Symposium with International Participation,April 21-24, 1997, Zvenigorod, Moscow Region , Russia , p. 33-35. 139. A.M.

This research examined the effects of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on patients suffering from a wide range of disorders, including musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, circulatory diseases, traumatic disorders, gastroenterological problems, and stress-related morbidity. Treatment made use of the Rhumart apparatus, which produced waveforms with peak amplitudes up to 30 G. Results, based on the patients' own subjectiveratings, indicated the treatment to be beneficial across most conditions, with the strongest effects seen in those sufferingfrom musculoskeletal and traumatic disorders.

Begue-Simon & R.A. Drolet, "Clinical Assessment of the Rhumart System based on the Use of Pulsed ElectromagneticFields with Low Frequency," International Journal of Rehabil Research, 16(4), 1993, p. 323-327.

This review article summarizes findings presented at the Third Workshop on the use of low-intensity millimeter waves in medicine, held in Zvenigorod, Moscow Region, Russia . Such findings pointed to the efficacy of MW therapy with respect to alcoholism and its associated symptoms, gastric and duodenal ulcers, psoriasis, chronic furunculosis, and cardiovascular diseases.

Y.L. Arzumanov, "An Overview of the Third Workshop 'Use of Millimeter Waves in Medicine,'" Millimetrovie Volni v Biologii i Meditcine, (3), 1994, p. 104-107.

This study examined the effects of magnetotherapy on patients suffering from a variety of eye and brain vascular disorders. Treatment made use of the "Polius-1" apparatus (50 Hz), with most patients receiving a course of 15-20 daily exposures. Results showed overall general improvements in 95 percent of patients with eye diseases.

N. Gilinskaya & L.V. Zobina, "Magnetic Field Application for the Treatment of Vascular Diseases of the Brain and Eyes," in

Y.A. Kholodov & N.N. Lebedeva (eds.), Problems of Electromagnetic Neurobiology, Moscow, Nauka, 1988, p. 94-98.

This review article notes that low-frequency electromagnetic therapy has been used for a variety of purposes. Those specifically identified the author include cell growth promotion, pain reduction, improved blood circulation, bone repair, increased wound healing, sedative effects, enhanced sleep, and arthritic relief.

R.A. Drolet, "Rhumart Therapy: A Non-invasive Cell Regeneration Ion and Anti-Inflammatory Therapy Using LF-EM Fields," Bioelectromagnetics Society, 4th Annual Meeting, 28 June-2 July 1982, Los Angeles , CA , p. 45.

This review article notes that treatment with an "Infita" apparatus, used to deliver low-frequency magnetic fields, has been shown to improve general hemodynamics and microcirculation in addition to exhibiting anti-inflammatory, sedative, and analgesic effects in Olympic-level Russian athletes.

A. Zaslavskii, et al., "A Low-frequency Impulse Apparatus for Physical Therapy 'Infita'," Med Tehk, 5, 1994, p. 39-41.

This review article cites studies pointing to the efficacy of low-frequency magnetic fields in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including burns, arthritis, fractures, arterial aneurysms, PMS, phantom pain, tuberculosis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, bronchial asthma, and ulcerated varicose veins, among others.

V.M. Bogoliubov & L.A. Skurikhina, "Therapeutic Application of Constant and Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields," VoprKurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, (2),1979, p. 65-72.

This study examined the effects of extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields (TAMMAT device) in the treatment of a group of 650 patients suffering from a host of various diseases. Treatment consisted 15-25 minute daily exposures 5 days per week over a total of 20-25 days. Most patients experienced improvements after 2-3 exposures. Marked improvements were seen with respect to analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immune-enhancing effects.

V.I. Kovalchuk, et al., "Use of Extremely-Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields in Clinical Practice," Fizicheskaia Meditzina, 4(12), 1994, p. 87

This article reports on the efficacy of a Russian electromagnetic stimulation apparatus termed "Cascade." The authors state that data from 508 patients suffering from various ailments who were treated with the device indicate it to be anywhere from 75 to 100 percent effective. Examples of conditions in which the device was used include stubborn fractures, post-traumatic contractures, crush syndrome, and Perthes' disease.

S.A. Schastnyi, et al., "A Contact-Free, Biologically Adequate Electromagnetic Stimulation of Repair Regeneration of Osseous, Cartilaginous, and Muscular Tissues in Children," Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, (3), 1994, p. 38-42.

This review article on the use of pulsed magnetotherapy in Czechoslovakia points to its efficacy across a variety of conditions, including joint problems, enuresis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

J. Jerabek, "Pulsed Magnetotherapy in Czechoslovakia: A Review," First World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism inBiology and Medicine, 14-19 June 1992, Lake Buena Vista, FL, p. 81.

Glaucoma

In this study, patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with compensated intraocular pressure were administered magnetotherapy using an ATOS device with 33-mT magnetic field induction. The procedure was administered to a patient in a sitting posture with a magnetic inductor held before the eye. Sessions lasted 10 minutes and each course included 10 sessions. Following 4-5 months of therapy, results showed improved vision acuity 0.16 diopters, on an average of 29 out of 30 eyes with vision acuity below 1.0.

Bisvas, et al., "Possibilities of Magnetotherapy in Stabilization of Visual Function in Patients with Glaucoma," VestnOftalmol, 112(1), Jauary-March 1996, p. 6-8.