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.

Hair Loss

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on hair loss in men suffering from male pattern baldness. PEMF exposures were administered to the head for 12 minutes and were given weekly or twice weekly over a period of 36 weeks. Results found the PEMF treatment both prevented hair loss and promoted regrowth without side effects.

W.S. Maddin, et al., "The Biological Effects of a Pulsed Electrostatic with Specific Reference to Hair: Electrotrichogenesis," International Journal of Dermatology, 29(6), 1990, p. 446-450.

Headache

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that the administration of a pulsed magnetic field for less than one hour to headache patients produced significant beneficial effects, as shown subjective patient reports, as well as EEG activity.

O. Grunner, et al., "Cerebral Use of a Pulsating Magnetic Field in Neuropsychiatry Patients with Long-term Headache,"EEG EMG Z Elektroenzephalogr Verwandte Geb, 16(4),December 1985, p. 227-230

This article reports on the case of an acute migraine patient who was successfully treated with external magnetic fields.

R. Sandyk, "The Influence of the Pineal Gland on Migraine and Cluster Headaches and Effects of Treatment with picoTesla Magnetic Fields," International Journal of Neurosci, 67(1-4), November-December 1992, p. 145-171.

This article examined the effects of millimeter wave therapy in the treatment of 107 patients suffering from headaches of varying causes. Treatment consisted of the Nao-Hu, Bai-Huei, and Hua-Chai acupuncture points being exposed to 5.6and 4.9-mm wavelengths via the use of "Yav'-1-5.6" or "Electronka-KVCh" devices, respectively. Exposure lasted up to 60 minutes per day over a course of 10 days. All patients experienced positive results following 3-5 exposures. After one year, 48 percent of patients remained free of headaches, with a significant decrease in another 41 percent.

B.M. Popov & T.A. Al'shanskaya, "Use of Traditional and Non-traditional Methods in the Treatment of Headache,"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. 68-71.

This study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (20 minutes per day for 15 days) in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic headaches. Results indicated the treatment to be most effective in patients suffering from tension headaches, with 88 percent of such patients reporting positive results. Beneficial results were also experienced patients suffering from migraines (60 percent), cervical migraines (68 percent), and psychogenic headaches (60 percent).

A. Prusinski, et al., "Pulsating Electromagnetic Field in the Therapy of Headache," Hungarian Symposium onMagnetotherapy, 2nd Symposium,May 16-17, 1987, Szekesfehervar , Hungary , p. 163-166.

In this study, 90 headache patients were treated with pulsating electromagnetic fields via large coils to the body for 20 minutes per day for a total of 15 days. Results found the treatment to be either excellent or good for those patients suffering from migraine, tension, and/or cervical headaches. Patients experiencing post-traumatic or cluster headaches did not experience such benefits.

A. Prusinksi, et al., "Pulsating Electromagnetic Field in the Therapy of Headache," Journal of Bioelectr., 7(1), 1988, p. 127-128.

Results of this study indicated that pulsating electromagnetic fields (12 Hz and 5 mT) were an effective prophylactic treatment for patients suffering from cervical and migraine headaches.

J. Giczi & A. Guseo, "Treatment of Headache Pulsating Electromagnetic Field a Preliminary Report," Hungarian Symposium on Magnetotherapy, 2nd Symposium, May 16-17, 1987, Szekesfehervar, Hungary, p. 74-76.

This placebo-controlled, double-blind study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (2-5 Hz and flux densities of 3-4 mT) on patients suffering from migraine headaches. PEMFs were administered to the head for 10-15 minutes per day over a period of 30 days. Results showed a mean improvement level of 66 percent in patients receiving the treatment, compared to just 23 percent among controls.

L. Lazar & A. Farago, "Experiences of Patients Suffering from Migraine-Type Headache Treated with Magnetotherapy,"Hungarian Symposium on Magnetotherapy, 2nd Symposium,May 16-17, 1987, Szekesfehervar , Hungary , p. 137-140.

Hemophilia

In this study, hemophiliacs suffering from joint hemorrhage received millimeter wave (MW) therapy at biologically active points beginning on the first day of hospital release. Adults were treated with an "Electronica-KVCh" device (61 GHz, 5 mW maximum power) and children were treated with a "Porog" device, which generates low-intensity wide-band MMW noise. Exposures in both groups lasted for 20-25 minutes per day and were extended over a period of 10 days. Results indicated the treatment to be more effective than conventional therapy with respect to alleviation of pain, need for medication, and other parameters.

V.V. Aleschenko & I.O. Pisanko, "EHF-Therapy for Hemophylic Arthropathy and Hemarthroses of the KneeJoint,"Millimeter Waves in Medicine and Biology. Digest of Papers of the 10th Russian Symposium with International Participation,April 24-26, Moscow , Russia , 1995, p. 61-63.

Hepatitis

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of millimeter wave therapy combined with conventional methods in the treatment of viral hepatitis in children. Making use of a "Yav'-1-5,6" or "Yav'-1-7,7" device, MW therapy involved 14-15 exposures of, on average, 30 minutes per day at wavelengths of either 5.6 or 7.1 mm. Results indicated the combined treatment to be more effective than conventional treatment only, leading to a more rapid restoration of liver function.

A.A. Shul'diakov, et al., "Electromagnetic Radiation of Millimeter Range in Treatment of Children with Acute Viral Hepatitis," Millimeter Waves in Medicine and Biology, 10th Russian Symposium with International Participation, April 24-26, 1995, Moscow, Russia, p. 21-23.

Results of this study showed that the use of magnetic fields was effective in treating patients suffering from viral hepatitis who had previously not benefited from conventional drug therapies.

I.A. Il'inskii, et al., "Experience with the Use of Glucocorticosteroids and Magnetic Fields in the Intensive Therapy of Severe Forms of Viral Hepatitis," Soviet Medicine, 9,1978, p. 72-74.

This study examined the effects of magnetotherapy in children suffering from various forms of viral hepatitis. Magnetotherapy consisted of alternating magnetic fields applied to the liver area daily over a total of 10-15 days. Results indicated magnetotherapy led to more rapid and trouble-free recovery.

V.V. Krasnov & A.I. Shilenok, "Magnetotherapy of Hepatitis A and B in Children," Pediatriia, 10, 1991, p. 54-57.

Herniated Disk

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of magnetotherapy in patients following herniated disk surgery. Results showed that 52 percent of patients receiving the treatment compared to 30 percent of controls reported being free of symptoms at the time of hospital release.

K. Perjes, et al., "Effect of Magnetotherapy on Recovery After Herniated Disk Surgery," Hungarian Symposium onMagnetotherapy, 2nd Symposium,May 16-17, 1987, Szekesfehervar , Hungary , p. 159-162.

Hip Problems

This double-blind study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on loosened hip prostheses. Results showed an increase of bone density in all patients receiving PEMF treatment compared to only 60 percent of controls.

The authors argue such findings suggest PEMF elicits early bone reconstruction, which enhances early weight bearing.

G. Gualtieri, et al., "The Effect Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation on Patients Treated of Hip Revesions with Trans-Femoral Approach," Second World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine,8-13 June 1997, Bologna , Italy .

This study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (50 Hz, 50 G) in treating aseptic loosening of total hip prostheses. PEMF therapy consisted of 20 minutes per day for 6 days per week over a total of 20 such sessions and was begun, on average, a year and a half following the start of loosening. Results showed PEMF to have some beneficial effects with respect to loosened hip arthroplasties, although it was not effective in patients suffering severe pain due to extreme loosening.

K. Konrad, "Therapy with Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Aseptic Loosening of Total Hip Protheses: A Prospective Study," Clinical Rheumatology, 15(4), 1996, p. 325-328.