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Post-discectomy Syndrome

Georgian Med News. 2011 Jun;(195):65-70.

The effect of rehabilitation with therapeutic Akhtala muds and electromagnetic radiation of millimeter range on biochemical indices in patients with post discectomy syndrome.

[Article in Russian] Dokhnadze TD.

Abstract

The impact of therapeutic Akhtala muds and electromagnetic radiation of millimeter range on biochemical indices in patients with post discectomy syndrome has been investigated. The research showed that medical rehabilitation with Akhtala medical muds and electromagnetic radiation of millimeter range stimulates sympathetic-adrenal system, adrenocorticotrophic function of the hypophysis and glucocorticoid function of adrenal cortex, induces a weakening/removal of an inflammatory process in the operated area, enhances antioxidant defense of the organism, oppresses calcium metabolism and peroxide oxidation of lipids. The noted positive process was manifested in the increase up to upper limit of the norm of daily excretion of adrenalin and noradrenalin, the content of adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol in blood plasma and in the decrease of the amount of malonic dialdehyde in it, also in the increase of antioxidative activity of blood plasma, in the decrease of the content of “?”-reactive protein, haptoglobin, seroglicoids, common and ionic calcium in blood serum.

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Post Polio Syndrome

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 1997 Nov, 78:11, 1200-3

Response of pain to static magnetic fields in postpolio patients: a double-blind pilot study.

Vallbona C; Hazlewood CF; Jurida G, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the chronic pain frequently presented by postpolio patients can be relieved by application of magnetic fields applied directly over an identified pain trigger point.

DESIGN: Double-blind randomized clinical trial.

SETTING: The postpolio clinic of a large rehabilitation hospital.

PATIENTS: Fifty patients with diagnosed postpolio syndrome who reported muscular or arthritic-like pain.

INTERVENTION: Application of active or placebo 300 to 500 Gauss magnetic devices to the affected area for 45 minutes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Patients who received the active device experienced an average pain score decrease of 4.4 +/- 3.1 (p < .0001) on a 10-point scale. Those with the placebo devices experienced a decrease of 1.1 +/- 1.6 points (p < .005). The proportion of patients in the active-device group who reported a pain score decrease greater than the average placebo effect was 76%, compared with 19% in the placebo-device group (p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS: The application of a device delivering static magnetic fields of 300 to 500 Gauss over a pain trigger point results in significant and prompt relief of pain in postpolio subjects.

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Post Mastectomy

Vopr Onkol. 1988;34(2):213-7.

Use of physical therapy measures in the rehabilitation of patients having undergone radical mastectomy.

[Article in Russian]

Gerasimenko VN, Voinarevich AO, Grushina TI.

Low-frequency electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, massage, exercise therapy and drugs were used in 90 patients who after radical treatment for breast cancer suffered pain and limited mobility in the shoulder joint. These procedures were intended to treat said complications, to normalize reflexes and to cut down the period of rehabilitative therapy. The treatment proved effective. No untoward effects on the course of the disease were observed within the first 3-5 years.

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Poisoning – Detoxification

Klin Med (Mosk). 1995;73(3):37-40.

The use of magnetic hemotherapy in combined detoxification in acute exogenous poisonings.

[Article in Russian]

Luzhnikov EA, Gol’dfarb IuS, Misulovin IaI, Burykina IA.

An original technique of magnetic hemotherapy has been tried in 110 patients with severe exogenic poisoning. The addition of the above hemotherapy raised the efficacy of combined detoxication due to correction of hemorheological and stabilization of hemodynamic parameters as indicated by diminished endotoxicosis, reduced lethality, prevention of somatic complications which when available became less severe.

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Post Mastectomy

Vopr Onkol. 1988;34(2):213-7.

Use of physical therapy measures in the rehabilitation of patients having undergone radical mastectomy.

[Article in Russian]

Gerasimenko VN, Voinarevich AO, Grushina TI.

Low-frequency electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, massage, exercise therapy and drugs were used in 90 patients who after radical treatment for breast cancer suffered pain and limited mobility in the shoulder joint. These procedures were intended to treat said complications, to normalize reflexes and to cut down the period of rehabilitative therapy. The treatment proved effective. No untoward effects on the course of the disease were observed within the first 3-5 years.

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Poisoning – Detoxification

Klin Med (Mosk). 1995;73(3):37-40.

The use of magnetic hemotherapy in combined detoxification in acute exogenous poisonings.

[Article in Russian]

Luzhnikov EA, Gol’dfarb IuS, Misulovin IaI, Burykina IA.

An original technique of magnetic hemotherapy has been tried in 110 patients with severe exogenic poisoning. The addition of the above hemotherapy raised the efficacy of combined detoxication due to correction of hemorheological and stabilization of hemodynamic parameters as indicated by diminished endotoxicosis, reduced lethality, prevention of somatic complications which when available became less severe.

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Pneumonia

Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 1995 May-Jun;(3):12-4.

An evaluation of the effect of magnetic-laser therapy on external respiratory function in complicated forms of acute pneumonia in children.

[Article in Russian]

Gaidashev EA, Lebedev KN, Khristoforov VN, Biriukov VV, Gatkin EIa.

The authors studied the effects of magnetic laser therapy (MLT) on external respiration, blood transport of gas and clinical course of acute destructive pneumonia in children aged 1-12 years. It was established that energy of infrared laser combined with magnetic field reduces the severity of acute respiratory insufficiency, treatment course, prevents destructive complications in children with infiltrative acute destructive pneumonia.

Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2010 May-Jun;(3):32-5.

Correction of immune and mediator characteristics by low-frequency magnetotherapy in children who frequently fall ill.

[Article in Russian]

[No authors listed]

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare characteristics of clinical condition and immune status of children with repeated respiratory diseases of different clinical and nosological forms after standard treatment and magnetotherapy. It was shown that magnetotherapy produces well-apparent immunocorrective effects in children with the affected upper and lower respiratory tracts including patients with bronchial obstruction syndrome. Positive changes of both cellular and humoral immunity characteristics were documented coupled to the improvement of serum cortisol levels. Results of the study give reason to recommend inclusion of magneotherapy in the combined treatment of children with repeated respiratory diseases.

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Phosphenes

Clin Neurophysiol. 2010 Jul;121(7):1080-4. Epub 2010 Feb 25.

Retinal origin of phosphenes to transcranial alternating current stimulation.

Schutter DJ, Hortensius R.

Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584CS Utrecht, The Netherlands. d.schutter@uu.nl

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine possible retinal contributions to cortically induced phosphenes by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) involving the visual cortex.

METHODS: Self-reported phosphene ratings and voltage-related potentials from the canthus, supra-orbital and sub-orbital regions of the right eye were measured to 2, 10 and 20 Hz tACS at 250 and 1000 microA intensities in healthy volunteers.

RESULTS: Qualitatively similar, but more intense phosphenes were reported during frontalis-vertex tACS as compared to occiput-vertex tACS. In addition, voltage-related potentials were recorded at the canthus and orbit regions of the eye during frontalis-vertex, occiput-vertex and occiput-right shoulder tACS.

CONCLUSIONS: The experience of phosphenes during tACS involving the visual cortex is influenced by volume conductions effects of the scalp.

SIGNIFICANCE: Retinal effects should be taken into account when studying the cortical modulatory effects of tACS.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2010 Mar;121(3):376-9. Epub 2010 Jan 15.

Phosphene thresholds evoked with single and double TMS pulses.

Kammer T, Baumann LW.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. thomas.kammer@uni-ulm.de

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quantitative advantage of double pulses vs. single pulses in TMS phosphenes evoked from the occipital cortex.

METHODS: In 10 healthy subjects single pulse thresholds were compared with thresholds from double pulses of equal strength at a stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) of 2, 5, 10, and 20ms, both with biphasic and monophasic pulse forms. In a second experiment fusion time, i.e. the double pulse SOA where the percept passes from one into two phosphenes was determined.

RESULTS: Thresholds obtained with double pulses did not depend on SOA. They were lowered to about 90% of single pulse thresholds. Biphasic pulses yielded lower thresholds (89%) than monophasic pulses. Fusion time was about 45ms but highly varied inter-individually and did not depend on stimulation intensity.

CONCLUSIONS: Although double pulses are more efficient compared to single pulses the advantage is rather small. Previous recommendations to apply double pulses in phosphene studies cannot be confirmed, at least for SOAs up to 20ms. The independence of fusion time to stimulus intensity indicates a non-linear relation between network activity and the percept of phosphene persistence.

SIGNIFICANCE: Phosphene threshold studies do not gain advantages by the application of double pulses.

Exp Brain Res. 2005 Jan;160(1):129-40.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the visual system. II. Characterization of induced phosphenes and scotomas.

Kammer T, Puls K, Erb M, Grodd W.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, 89075 Ulm, Germany. thomas.kammer@uni-ulm.de

Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) induces phosphenes and disrupts visual perception when applied over the occipital pole. Both the underlying mechanisms and the brain structures involved are still unclear. In the first part of this study we show that the masking effect of TMS differs to masking by light in terms of the psychometric function. Here we investigate the emergence of phosphenes in relation to perimetric measurements. The coil positions were measured with a stereotactic positioning device, and stimulation sites were characterized in four subjects on the basis of individual retinotopic maps measured by with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Phosphene thresholds were found to lie a factor of 0.59 below the stimulation intensities required to induce visual masking. They covered the segments in the visual field where visual suppression occurred with higher stimulation intensity. Both phosphenes and transient scotomas were found in the lower visual field in the quadrant contralateral to the stimulated hemisphere. They could be evoked from a large area over the occipital pole. Phosphene contours and texture remained quite stable with different coil positions over one hemisphere and did not change with the retinotopy of the different visual areas on which the coil was focused. They cannot be related exclusively to a certain functionally defined visual area. It is most likely that both the optic radiation close to its termination in the dorsal parts of V1 and back-projecting fibers from V2 and V3 back to V1 generate phosphenes and scotomas.

J Neurol Sci. 2003 Nov 15;215(1-2):75-8.

Evaluation of cortical excitability by motor and phosphene thresholds in transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Gerwig M, Kastrup O, Meyer BU, Niehaus L.

Department of Neurology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany.

Abstract

Motor threshold (MT), as determined by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), is used as a parameter of cortex excitability. In TMS with single or repetitive pulses, stimulus intensities in general are referred to the individual MT, although it is unclear whether MT also reflects the excitability of nonmotor cortical areas such as the visual cortex. Visual cortex excitability can be assessed by thresholds for eliciting phosphenes (phosphene threshold, PT) following TMS over the occipital cortex. The question of a different efficacy of TMS pulses in distinct cortical areas was approached by comparing motor and phosphene thresholds using single-pulse TMS applied to the primary motor and visual cortex. The aim of the study was to clarify, whether MT and PT correlate with each other and whether MT possibly serves as a reasonable measure for the excitability of the visual cortex. In 32 healthy volunteers, TMS with biphasic single pulses was applied over the motor and visual cortex with a figure of eight-shaped coil connected to a Dantec MagPro stimulator. MT and PT were individually measured (percent of maximal stimulator output). Mean PT (61.4+/-11.7%) was significantly higher than mean MT (39.4+/-5.9%) (p=0.01). MT and PT did not correlate significantly (r=0.29, p>0.1). These findings suggest that the MT does not reflect the excitability of the visual cortex. Regarding excitatory effects, the efficacy of TMS may be different over the motor and visual cortex, likely related to a different excitability of these cortical areas. This should be considered in planning and execution of TMS studies of nonmotor cortical areas.

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2003;106(4):349-56.

Dosimetry considerations in the head and retina for extremely low frequency electric fields.

Taki M, Suzuki Y, Wake K.

Department of Electrical Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University 1-1, Minami-osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan. taki@eei.metro-u.ac.jp

Abstract

Magnetophosphenes are investigated from the viewpoint of electromagnetic dosimetry. Induced current density and internal electric fields at the threshold of perception are estimated by analytical and numerical calculations, assuming different models. Dosimetry for electrophosphenes is also discussed and compared with that for magnetophosphenes. The distribution of current density and internal electric fields is consistent with the experimental observation that flashing sensations reach their greatest intensity at the periphery of the visual field, for both electro and magnetophosphenes. The estimated thresholds in internal electric fields are consistent for magnetophosphenes and for electrophosphenes, respectively. The magnitudes of the thresholds, however, differ by about 10-fold. The thresholds in induced current density are critically dependent on the conductivity of the eye assumed for the calculations. The effect of thin membrane structure is also discussed with regard to the difference between electric field and magnetic field exposures.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2001 Nov;112(11):2015-21.

The influence of current direction on phosphene thresholds evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Kammer T, Beck S, Erb M, Grodd W.

Department of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Spemannstrasse 38, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany. thomas.kammer@tuebingen.mpg.de

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To quantify phosphene thresholds evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the occipital cortex as a function of induced current direction.

METHODS: Phosphene thresholds were determined in 6 subjects. We compared two stimulator types (Medtronic-Dantec and Magstim) with monophasic pulses using the standard figure-of-eight coils and systematically varied hemisphere (left and right) and induced current direction (latero-medial and medio-lateral). Each measurement was made 3 times, with a new stimulation site chosen for each repetition. Only those stimulation sites were investigated where phosphenes were restricted to one visual hemifield. Coil positions were stereotactically registered. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of retinotopic areas was performed in 5 subjects to individually characterize the borders of visual areas; TMS stimulation sites were coregistered with respect to visual areas.

RESULTS: Despite large interindividual variance we found a consistent pattern of phosphene thresholds. They were significantly lower if the direction of the induced current was oriented from lateral to medial in the occipital lobe rather than vice versa. No difference with respect to the hemisphere was found. Threshold values normalized to the square root of the stored energy in the stimulators were lower with the Medtronic-Dantec device than with the Magstim device. fMRI revealed that stimulation sites generating unilateral phosphenes were situated at V2 and V3. Variability of phosphene thresholds was low within a cortical patch of 2x2cm(2). Stimulation over V1 yields phosphenes in both visual fields.

CONCLUSIONS: The excitability of visual cortical areas depends on the direction of the induced current with a preference for latero-medial currents. Although the coil positions used in this study were centered over visual areas V2 and V3, we cannot rule out the possibility that subcortical structures or V1 could actually be the main generator for phosphenes.

Biomed Tech (Berl). 1992 Mar;37(3):42-5.

Psychological aspects of perception of magnetophosphenes and electrophosphenes.

[Article in German]

Reissenweber J, David E, Pfotenhauer M.

Institut für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Universität Witten, Herdecke.

Abstract

Scientific research at the Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering at Aachen University indicates that ELF (extremely-low frequency) electric and magnetic fields may generate visual perceptions in the human retina which are similar to the pressure phosphenes. During our own experiments we found that 90% of subjects undergoing a blind experiment reported various visual sensations which were mostly colored and moving. Our findings indicate that the psychological component of the perception of electric and magnetic phosphenes must not be underestimated. It is possible that there is a connection between retinal noise in the dark (due to metabolic processes [5, 8]) and magnetic or electric phosphenes.

Optom Vis Sci. 1991 Jun;68(6):427-40.

Magnetostimulation of vision: direct noninvasive stimulation of the retina and the visual brain.

Marg E.

School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley.

Abstract

The history of magnetophosphenes and their closely related predecessor, electrophosphenes, is described from the mid-18th century to the present time. The current era of magnetic stimulation started in 1985 with the development of a practical capacitor-discharge electromagnetic stimulator by Barker and his colleagues at the University of Sheffield, and their application of it to the brain with Merton and Morton at the National Hospital, London. The safety of magnetostimulation of the brain is discussed as well as the advantages of magnetostimulation over electrostimulation. Principles of magnetostimulation of nerves and magnetic measurement are considered. Effects on motor and sensory systems of the brain are described including magnetic perceptual suppression in the visual cortex and other pioneering work of Amassian, Cracco and Maccabee at SUNY Health, Brooklyn. Magnetophosphenes from retinal and cortical magnetostimulation are distinguished. Now that visual cortical stimulation is possible with the strong magnetic pulses generated by capacitor-discharge instruments, the functional viability of the visual cortex may be tested directly and noninvasively.

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Pharyngitis

Vestn Otorinolaringol. 2002;(5):28-30.

Magneto- laser-phoresis with heparin in the treatment of patients with chronic pharyngitis.

[Article in Russian]

Portenko GM, Grafskaia NA.

Abstract

The results of treatment of various forms of chronic pharyngitis by magnetolaserophoresis (MLP) with heparin show that MLP is more effective in hypertrophic chronic pharyngitis. It is emphasized that when planning treatment of chronic pharyngitis one should take into consideration the state of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Phantom Limb Pain

Electromagn Biol Med.  2011 Sep;30(3):115-27.

Phantom pain reduction by low-frequency and low-intensity electromagnetic fields.

Bókkon I, Till A, Grass F, Erdöfi Szabó A.

Source

Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary.

Abstract

Although various treatments have been presented for phantom pain, there is little proof supporting the benefits of pharmacological treatments, surgery or interventional techniques, electroconvulsive therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, far infrared ray therapy, psychological therapies, etc. Here, we report the preliminary results for phantom pain reduction by low-frequency and intensity electromagnetic fields under clinical circumstances. Our method is called as Electromagnetic-Own-Signal-Treatment (EMOST). Fifteen people with phantom limb pain participated. The patients were treated using a pre-programmed, six sessions. Pain intensity was quantified upon admission using a 0-10 verbal numerical rating scale. Most of the patients (n = 10) reported a marked reduction in the intensity of phantom limb pain. Several patients also reported about improvement in their sleep and mood quality, or a reduction in the frequency of phantom pain after the treatments. No improvements in the reduction of phantom limb pain or sleep and mood improvement were reported in the control group (n = 5). Our nonlinear electromagnetic EMOST method may be a possible therapeutic application in the reduction of phantom limb pain. Here, we also suggest that some of the possible effects of the EMOST may be achieved via the redox balance of the body and redox-related neural plasticity. Case Report Med.  2011;2011:130751. Epub 2011 May 11.

Phantom limb pain: low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in unaffected hemisphere.

Di Rollo A, Pallanti S.

Source

Department of Psychiatry, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.

Abstract

Phantom limb pain is very common after limb amputation and is often difficult to treat. The motor cortex stimulation is a valid treatment for deafferentation pain that does not respond to conventional pain treatment, with relief for 50% to 70% of patients. This treatment is invasive as it uses implanted epidural electrodes. Cortical stimulation can be performed noninvasively by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The stimulation of the hemisphere that isn’t involved in phantom limb (unaffected hemisphere), remains unexplored. We report a case of phantom limb pain treated with 1 Hz rTMS stimulation over motor cortex in unaffected hemisphere. This stimulation produces a relevant clinical improvement of phantom limb pain; however, further studies are necessary to determine the efficacy of the method and the stimulation parameters. Clin Neurophysiol.  2003 Aug;114(8):1521-30.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the parietal cortex transiently ameliorates phantom limb pain-like syndrome.

Töpper R, Foltys H, Meister IG, Sparing R, Boroojerdi B.

Source

Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, RWTH D-52057 Aachen, Germany.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Phantom pain is linked to a reorganization of the partially deafferented sensory cortex. In this study we have investigated whether the pain syndrome can be influenced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

METHODS:

Two patients with a longstanding unilateral avulsion of the lower cervical roots and chronic pain in the arm were studied. As a control the acute effects of rTMS (15 Hz, 2 s duration) on pain were studied in 4 healthy subjects. Pain intensity was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale.

RESULTS:

Stimulation of the contralateral parietal cortex led to a reproducible reduction in pain intensity lasting up to 10 min. Stimulation of other cortical areas produced only minor alterations in the severity of the pain. Both 1 and 10 Hz rTMS trains applied to the contralateral parietal cortex on weekdays for 3 consecutive weeks did, however, not lead to permanent changes in the pain intensity. Experimentally induced pain (cold water immersion of the right hand) in normal subjects was not influenced by rTMS.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results do not favor the use of rTMS in the treatment of phantom limb pain. The results, however, support the concept that phantom pain is due to a dysfunctional activity in the parietal cortex. The transient rTMS-induced analgesic effect may be due to a temporary interference with the cerebral representation of the deafferented limb.