Treatment of migraine with pulsing electromagnetic fields: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Headache · 1999 · Benefit · Moderate evidence

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BenefitModerate evidencePaper 4034

Study snapshot

PublicationHeadache · 1999

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

The effect of exposure to pulsing electromagnetic fields on migraine activity was evaluated by having 42 subjects (34 women and 8 men), who met the International Headache Society's criteria for migraine, participate in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Each subject kept a 1-month, pretreatment, baseline log of headache activity prior to being randomized to having either actual or placebo pulsing electromagnetic fields applied to their inner thighs for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. After exposure, all subjects kept the log for at least 1 follow-up month. During the first month of follow-up, 73% of those receiving actual exposure reported decreased headaches (45% good decrease, 14% excellent decrease) compared to half of those receiving the placebo (15% worse, 20% good, 0% excellent). Ten of the 22 subjects who had actual exposure received 2 additional weeks of actual exposure after their initial 1-month follow-up. All showed decreased headache activity (50% good, 38% excellent). Thirteen subjects from the actual exposure group elected not to receive additional exposure. Twelve of them showed decreased headache activity by the second month (29% good, 43% excellent). Eight of the subjects in the placebo group elected to receive 2 weeks of actual exposure after the initial 1-month follow-up with 75% showing decreased headache activity (38% good, 38% excellent). In conclusion, exposure of the inner thighs to pulsing electromagnetic fields for at least 3 weeks is an effective, short-term intervention for migraine, but not tension headaches.

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 directionbenefit

PopulationAdults meeting International Headache Society criteria for migraine (34 women, 8 men)

Sample size42

Exposure1 hour/day, 5 days/week, for 2 weeks initially; some received an additional 2 weeks (total at least 3 weeks mentioned)

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In the first month of follow-up, 73% of participants receiving actual pulsing electromagnetic field exposure reported decreased headaches versus about half in the placebo group. Participants who received additional actual exposure also reported decreased headache activity. The authors conclude pulsing electromagnetic field exposure for at least 3 weeks is an effective short-term intervention for migraine but not tension headaches.

Outcomes measured

Migraine headache activity (headache log; change in headaches during follow-up)
Tension headaches (mentioned in conclusion)

Limitations

Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not reported in the abstract
Outcome assessment appears based on self-reported headache logs
Short follow-up duration (at least 1 month post-exposure reported)
Some participants crossed over/elected additional exposure after initial follow-up, which may complicate interpretation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "therapeutic pulsing electromagnetic fields",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 hour/day, 5 days/week, for 2 weeks initially; some received an additional 2 weeks (total at least 3 weeks mentioned)"
  },
  "population": "Adults meeting International Headache Society criteria for migraine (34 women, 8 men)",
  "sample_size": 42,
  "outcomes": [
    "Migraine headache activity (headache log; change in headaches during follow-up)",
    "Tension headaches (mentioned in conclusion)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In the first month of follow-up, 73% of participants receiving actual pulsing electromagnetic field exposure reported decreased headaches versus about half in the placebo group. Participants who received additional actual exposure also reported decreased headache activity. The authors conclude pulsing electromagnetic field exposure for at least 3 weeks is an effective short-term intervention for migraine but not tension headaches.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not reported in the abstract",
    "Outcome assessment appears based on self-reported headache logs",
    "Short follow-up duration (at least 1 month post-exposure reported)",
    "Some participants crossed over/elected additional exposure after initial follow-up, which may complicate interpretation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "migraine",
    "pulsing electromagnetic fields",
    "PEMF",
    "double-blind",
    "placebo-controlled",
    "randomized controlled trial",
    "headache log",
    "tension headache"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3908567.x
PubMed: 11279973

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