RF Safe

Randomised, placebo-controlled trial of transcranial pulsed EMF in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity

2016 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

← Research stream
MixedModerate evidencePaper 1368

In 39 randomized MCS patients treated for 6 weeks, there was no significant between-group difference on QEESI Life Impact Scale (mean change -5.9 PEMF vs -1.5 placebo; p=0.35; effect size=-0.31). Symptom severity (QEESI SSS) decreased significantly within and…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2016
Study typerandomized_trial
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Randomised, placebo-controlled trial of transcranial pulsed EMF in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity Tran MT, Skovbjerg S, Arendt-Nielsen L, Christensen KB, Elberling J. A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity. Acta Neuropsychiatr. 2016 Dec 6:1-11. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transcranially applied pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on functional impairments and symptom severity in multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) patients. METHODS: The study was conducted as a nationwide trial in Denmark using a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind and placebo-controlled design. Sample size was estimated at 40 participants. Eligibility criteria were age 18-75 years and fulfilment of the MCS case criteria. Participants received either PEMF or placebo PEMF (no stimulation) applied transcranially for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the Life Impact Scale (LIS) of the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI). Secondary outcomes were the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Chemical Intolerance Scale of QEESI. RESULTS: A total of 39 participants were randomised to PEMF or placebo treatment. No significant difference was observed on QEESI LIS between groups with a mean change score of -5.9 in the PEMF group compared with -1.5 in the placebo group (p=0.35, effect size=-0.31). However, a significant decrease was detected on QEESI SSS within and between groups with a mean change score of -11.3 in the PEMF group compared with -3.2 in the placebo group (p=0.03, effect size=-0.60). CONCLUSION: PEMF treatment of 6 weeks showed no effect on functional impairments in MCS. However, a significant decrease in symptom severity was observed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial
Effect directionmixed
PopulationPatients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), age 18–75 years (Denmark)
Sample size39
Exposure6 weeks
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 39 randomized MCS patients treated for 6 weeks, there was no significant between-group difference on QEESI Life Impact Scale (mean change -5.9 PEMF vs -1.5 placebo; p=0.35; effect size=-0.31). Symptom severity (QEESI SSS) decreased significantly within and between groups (mean change -11.3 PEMF vs -3.2 placebo; p=0.03; effect size=-0.60).

Outcomes measured

  • Functional impairments (QEESI Life Impact Scale, LIS)
  • Symptom severity (QEESI Symptom Severity Scale, SSS)
  • Chemical intolerance (QEESI Chemical Intolerance Scale)

Limitations

  • Small sample size (39 randomized; sample size estimated at 40)
  • Frequency/dose parameters of PEMF not reported in abstract
  • Chemical Intolerance Scale results not reported in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), age 18–75 years (Denmark)",
  "sample_size": 39,
  "outcomes": [
    "Functional impairments (QEESI Life Impact Scale, LIS)",
    "Symptom severity (QEESI Symptom Severity Scale, SSS)",
    "Chemical intolerance (QEESI Chemical Intolerance Scale)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 39 randomized MCS patients treated for 6 weeks, there was no significant between-group difference on QEESI Life Impact Scale (mean change -5.9 PEMF vs -1.5 placebo; p=0.35; effect size=-0.31). Symptom severity (QEESI SSS) decreased significantly within and between groups (mean change -11.3 PEMF vs -3.2 placebo; p=0.03; effect size=-0.60).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (39 randomized; sample size estimated at 40)",
    "Frequency/dose parameters of PEMF not reported in abstract",
    "Chemical Intolerance Scale results not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "randomised",
    "placebo-controlled",
    "double-blind",
    "parallel-group",
    "transcranial",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "PEMF",
    "multiple chemical sensitivity",
    "QEESI",
    "Life Impact Scale",
    "Symptom Severity Scale",
    "Denmark"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library