Nowadays, health care products based on static magnetic fields (SMF) and merchandise of magnetic therapy are popular around the world. But the biomedical effects of SMF to animals or human beings remain a widely concerned controversy. In this paper, the recent researches in China and abroad about the biomedical effects of SMF were reviewed in three levels: the cellular, animal and human levels. Nevertheless, these data were not consistent with each other and even some contradicts others' researches. So, it is necessary to do more and further studies on SMF dosing regiman, sham control magnetic device and blinding procedures to obtain the optimal magnetic intensity, the desired therapeutic effects in practical cases and prepare for applying the SMF in biomedical fields more effectively in the future.
Animals ; Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; methods ; Magnetic Fields ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Pain ; prevention & control

Magnetic stimulation as an efficient and non-invasive technique has been applied broadly in clinical practice. It is mostly used in determination of nerve centre motor conduct and evaluation of motor cortex excitability; in inspection of central nervous system function by measuring peripheral nerve conduct; and in study of pallium nerve distribution. These are conducted in an attempt to control brain activity and provide new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of some brain diseases. This paper reviews the physical theory and functional mechanism of magnetic stimulation, as well as the applications of magnetic stimulation in biomedical examination and treatment.
Electromagnetic Fields ; Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; methods ; trends ; Movement Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; methods ; trends

PURPOSE: To Perform a randomized comparative study investigating the effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise(PME) and Magnetic Stimulation Therapy(MST) and to identified the problems in each of PME & MST. METHOD: Forty-nine patients with mild stress incontinence were randomly assigned to either of two treatment groups (24 patients in the PME group and 25 in the MST group). The PME group had a video exercising program for 40 times every day during 6 weeks. The MST group was treated with BioCon-2000TM, 2 times/week for six weeks. Pre-test and post-test were performed by Prineometer, 1-hour pad test. and Jackson's BFLUTS questionnaire of Jackson. Collected data were analysed using SAS 9.1 by frequency, Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z. Chi-Square-test, t-test, Fisher Exact probability test, Paired t-test, and Wilcoxon's rank sum test. RESULTS: In comparison between before and after PME and MST, statistically significant difference was observed in maximal vaginal pressure, duration of vaginal contraction, amount of urine, and symptom of urination. In the comparison of the effectiveness between PME & MST, only the maximal of vaginal pressure (Z=2.58, p=.010) was significantly different. CONCLUSION: The factor more effective in the MST group than in the PME group was high compliance.
Compliance ; Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy* ; Pelvic Floor* ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: There have only been a few reports concerning the treatment of choice for overactive bladder (OAB). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) in patients with an overactive bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the demonstrable overactive bladder patients, 21 were selected. They were classified into neuropathic and idiopathic OAB according to their etiology. Voiding diary, quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and urodynamic studies were evaluated before treatment. The treatment was performed for 20 minutes, 2 times a week, for 6 weeks. All of the evaluations were repeated immediately and 3 months after treatment. The treatment outcomes were evaluated for both the neuropathic and idiopathic groups. RESULTS: The overall mean age was 44.0+/-18.6 years. After 6 weeks of treatment, the mean frequency in the idiopathic group significantly decreased from 13.0+/-2.3 to 9.7+/-2.1 times (p<0.05). The mean urgency episodes in the neuropathic and idiopathic groups decreased from 11.3+/-7.5 and 4.5+/-5.8 times to 8.5+/-6.2 and 3.0+/-4.3 times, respectively. Significant improvements were noted in the frequency, mean voided volume, maximal voided volume and QOL in the idiopathic group, which were maintained for 3 months (p<0.05). There were improvements in the symptoms and QOL in the neuropathic group also, but these were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the FMS therapy has, at least, a short-term effect on idiopathic OAB. To our knowledge this is the first report on FMS therapy for neuropathic OAB. Although its acute effect on neuropathic OAB was minimal, there was some improvement in the QOL. Therefore, in our opinion, further studies are needed to establish the long-term efficacy of FMS therapy in patients with symptoms of OAB.
Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive* ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short and medium effect of peripheral repetitive magnetic stimulation therapy on chronic low back pain compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy. METHOD: Twenty-three subjects with chronic low back pain were allocated randomly to repetitive magnetic stimulation group (n=13) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (n=10). Each treatment consisted of 10-minutes sessions each day, totally 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Subjects were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment at 8 hours and 2 weeks. Outcome was measured with the Oswestry disability index, McGill pain questionnaire, and daily mean pain numeric rating scale. RESULTS: At 8 hours and 2 weeks post-treatment, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy group showed a significant improvement in the mean pain numeric rating scale. Two weeks post-treatment, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy group showed a significant improvement in the Oswestry disability index. But there were no significant therapeutic effect of repetitive magnetic stimulation therapy group at all period. CONCLUSION: This study showed that repetitive magnetic stimulation therapy may be less effective than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Pain Measurement ; Pilot Projects ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pelvic floor magnetic stimulation with BIOCON for the treatment of patients with stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with urinary incontinence were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (20 patients in the NEOCONTROL group and 29 in the BIOCON group). The patients were treated for 20 minutes, twice or three times a week for 12 weeks; each patient was fully clothed and seated on a special chair, a NEOCONTROL or BIOCON chair with a magnetic field therapy head in the seat. Objective measures included the symptom score, vaginal pressure and quality of life survey. RESULTS: Both NEOCONTROL and BIOCON ExMI offered an effective modal for frequency, urgency and urinary incontinence. No statistical difference was seen between the two groups when comparing their vaginal pressures. In the NEOCONTROL group, the score for the quality of life improved 2.4 to 6.05 and 2.21 to 6.03 for the BIOCON group. CONCLUSIONS: ExMI is painless. There is no need for a probe, nor for the need to undress for treatments. BIOCON ExMI therapy is as effective in stress and urge incontinence as the NEOCONTROL type. A longer follow-up is required to determine the benefits of treatment.
Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Pelvic Floor* ; Quality of Life ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge

We investigated the effects and optimal treatment frequency of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). A comparison was performed with the cyclical alendronate and a course of PEMFs in the treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis on bone mineral density (BMD), pain intensity and balance function. There was no significant difference between the two groups on mean percentage changes from baseline of BMD within 24 weeks after random treatments (P > or = 0.05). However, at the ends of 48 weeks and 72 weeks, the BMD of the PEMFs group were significantly lower than that of the alendronate group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between the two groups with regard to treatment effects on Visual Analogue Scale score, the Timed Up & Go Test and Berg Balance Scale score. Compared with cyclical alendronate, a course of PEMFs was as effective as alendronate in treating PMO for at least 24 weeks. So its optimal treatment frequency for PMO may be one course per six months.
Alendronate ; therapeutic use ; Bone Density ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; therapeutic use ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of infrared radiation and magnetic field therapy on cartilage damage in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSKnee osteoarthritis was induced in 24 adult New Zealand rabbits by prolonged fixation of the knee joint in extension for 6 weeks. The rabbits were subsequently randomized into control group (without treatment), infrared therapy group, magnetic field therapy group and the combined infrared and magnetic field therapy group. At the end of the first, second and third weeks of the therapy, respectively, 2 rabbits from each group were sacrificed to observe the general changes and histopathology of the condylar cartilage of the femur, and the findings were assessed using Mankin scores.

RESULTSCompared with other groups, the rabbits in the combined therapy group showed significantly milder cartilage damage (including injury of the cartilage surface and chondrocyte's proliferation and disarrangement) with significantly lower Mankin scores (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the findings between the two groups with exclusive infrared or magnetic field therapy (P>0.1).

CONCLUSIONCombined infrared and magnetic field therapy can effectively alleviate cartilage destruction, shortens the disease course and enhance the therapeutic effects in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; pathology ; Femur ; pathology ; Infrared Rays ; therapeutic use ; Knee Joint ; pathology ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; pathology ; therapy ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between mild moxibustion and specific electromagnetic spectrum therapy apparatus (TDP) for obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly divided into a mild moxibustion group and a TDP group, 30 cases in each one. In the mild moxibustion group, pure moxa sticks were used at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. In the TDP group, TDP was applied at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. The treatment was given once a day for two courses, and 10-day treatment was made into a course. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, swelling degree of the affected digital joints before and after treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe excellent rate was 56.7% (17/30) and the excellent and, good rate was 83.4% (25/30) in the mild moxibustion group,which were better than 36.7% (11/30) and 76.7% (23/30) in the TDP group respectively (both P < 0.01). After treatment the score of VAS and digital joints swelling degree were improved than those before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the improvements of the mild moxibustion group were better than those of the TDP group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMild moxibustion can apparently relieve the painful and swelling degree of obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints, which is superior to TDP.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; therapy ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Pain Measurement ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of the effect of low-frequency rotary constant magnetic field on high-fat and high-protein diet-induced fatty liver in rats.

METHODSFatty liver model was established in SD rats by feeding on a high-fat and high-protein diet daily. The enzyme activity changes in the serum and liver homogenate were detected at 10, 14, and 18 weeks, and the pathological changes of the liver were observed with optical and electron microscopy.

RESULTSIn magnetic field intervention group, the concentration of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were significantly decreased, and the activity of lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, superoxide dismutase and the concentration of malondialdehyde in the liver homogenate were significantly increased. Under optical microscope and electron microscope, the rats in the model group showed diffusive adipose degeneration in the hepatic cells with large lipid droplets, which became large vacuoles after fat extraction, indicating fatty necrosis. In magnetic field intervention group, remarkably smaller lipid droplets and lessened hepatic cell adipose degeneration were observed.

CONCLUSIONLow-frequency rotary constant magnetic field has beneficial effect on fat metabolism, leading to reduced lipid peroxidation and structural recovery of the degenerated hepatic cells.

Animals ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Fatty Liver ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley