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Treatment with electromagnetic fields improves dual-task performance (talking while walking) in multiple sclerosis.

The International journal of neuroscience · 1997 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 4117

In this single MS patient, gait and balance reportedly improved dramatically after two 45-minute transcranial treatments with AC pulsed EMFs (7.5 pT). Dual-task performance improved such that talking while walking no longer adversely affected ambulation, and …

Study snapshot

PublicationThe International journal of neuroscience · 1997
Study typecase_report
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with an increased risk of falling resulting from visual disturbances, difficulties with gait and balance, apraxia of gait and peripheral neuropathy. These factors often interact synergistically to compromise the patient's gait stability. It has long been recognized that walking involves a cognitive component and that simultaneous cognitive and motor operations (dual-task) such as talking while walking may interfere with normal ambulation. Talking while walking reflects an example of a dual-task which is frequently impaired in MS patients. Impaired dual-task performance during walking may compromise the patient's gait and explain why in some circumstances, MS patients unexpectedly lose their balance and fall. Frontal lobe dysfunction, which commonly occurs in MS patients, may disrupt dual-task performance and increase the risk of falling in these patients. This report concerns a 36 old man with remitting-progressive MS with an EDSS score of 5.5 who experienced marked increase in spasticity in the legs and trunk and worsening of his gait and balance, occasionally resulting in falling, when talking while walking. His gait and balance improved dramatically after he received two successive transcranial treatments, each of 45 minutes, with AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of 7.5 picotesla flux density. Simultaneously, there was improvement in dual-task performance to the extent that talking while walking did not adversely affect his ambulation. In addition, neuropsychological testing revealed an almost 5-fold increase in word output on the Thurstone's Word-Fluency Test, which is sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction. It is suggested that facilitation of dual-task performance during ambulation contributes to the overall improvement of gait and balance observed in MS patients receiving transcranial treatment with AC pulsed EMFs.

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 typecase_report
Effect directionbenefit
Population36-year-old man with remitting-progressive multiple sclerosis (EDSS 5.5)
Sample size1
ExposureTwo successive transcranial treatments, each 45 minutes; flux density 7.5 picotesla
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this single MS patient, gait and balance reportedly improved dramatically after two 45-minute transcranial treatments with AC pulsed EMFs (7.5 pT). Dual-task performance improved such that talking while walking no longer adversely affected ambulation, and word output on the Thurstone's Word-Fluency Test increased almost five-fold.

Outcomes measured

  • Gait and balance during dual-task (talking while walking)
  • Spasticity in legs and trunk
  • Falls (occasionally)
  • Dual-task performance during ambulation
  • Word output on Thurstone's Word-Fluency Test (neuropsychological test)

Limitations

  • Case report (single patient)
  • No control/sham condition described
  • Very limited detail on EMF parameters beyond flux density and treatment duration
  • Outcomes largely described qualitatively (e.g., 'improved dramatically')
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "case_report",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "transcranial AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (treatment)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Two successive transcranial treatments, each 45 minutes; flux density 7.5 picotesla"
  },
  "population": "36-year-old man with remitting-progressive multiple sclerosis (EDSS 5.5)",
  "sample_size": 1,
  "outcomes": [
    "Gait and balance during dual-task (talking while walking)",
    "Spasticity in legs and trunk",
    "Falls (occasionally)",
    "Dual-task performance during ambulation",
    "Word output on Thurstone's Word-Fluency Test (neuropsychological test)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this single MS patient, gait and balance reportedly improved dramatically after two 45-minute transcranial treatments with AC pulsed EMFs (7.5 pT). Dual-task performance improved such that talking while walking no longer adversely affected ambulation, and word output on the Thurstone's Word-Fluency Test increased almost five-fold.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Case report (single patient)",
    "No control/sham condition described",
    "Very limited detail on EMF parameters beyond flux density and treatment duration",
    "Outcomes largely described qualitatively (e.g., 'improved dramatically')"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "multiple sclerosis",
    "dual-task",
    "talking while walking",
    "gait",
    "balance",
    "falls",
    "spasticity",
    "transcranial",
    "AC pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "picotesla",
    "word fluency",
    "frontal lobe dysfunction"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/00207459708986393
PubMed: 9522259

Read the original paper →

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