Brief communication: electromagnetic fields improve visuospatial performance and reverse agraphia in a parkinsonian patient.

The International journal of neuroscience · 1996 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 4260

Study snapshot

PublicationThe International journal of neuroscience · 1996

Study typecase_report

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

A 73 year old right-handed man, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) in 1982, presented with chief complaints of disabling resting and postural tremors in the right hand, generalized bradykinesia and rigidity, difficulties with the initiation of gait, freezing of gait, and mild dementia despite being fully medicated. On neuropsychological testing the Bicycle Drawing Test showed cognitive impairment compatible with bitemporal and frontal lobe dysfunction and on attempts to sign his name he exhibited agraphia. After receiving two successive treatments, each of 20 minutes duration, with AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of 7.5 picotesla intensity and 5 Hz frequency sinusoidal wave, his drawing to command showed improvement in visuospatial performance and his signature became legible. One week later, after receiving two additional successive treatments with these EMFs each of 20 minutes duration with a 7 Hz frequency sinusoidal wave, he drew a much larger, detailed and visuospatially organized bicycle and his signature had normalized. Simultaneously, there was marked improvement in Parkinsonian motor symptoms with almost complete resolution of the tremors, start hesitation and freezing of gait. This case demonstrates the dramatic beneficial effects of AC pulsed picotesla EMFs on neurocognitive processes subserved by the temporal and frontal lobes in Parkinsonism and suggest that the dementia of Parkinsonism may be partly reversible.

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

Population73-year-old right-handed man with Parkinson's disease and mild dementia

Sample size1

ExposureELF · Two successive treatments of 20 minutes each (5 Hz); one week later two additional successive treatments of 20 minutes each (7 Hz)

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After two 20-minute treatments with AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (7.5 picotesla, 5 Hz), visuospatial drawing performance improved and the patient’s signature became legible. After two additional 20-minute treatments one week later at 7 Hz, the bicycle drawing was described as larger and more organized, the signature normalized, and motor symptoms reportedly improved with near-complete resolution of tremor and gait initiation/freezing problems.

Outcomes measured

Visuospatial performance (Bicycle Drawing Test)
Agraphia/signature legibility
Parkinsonian motor symptoms (tremor, start hesitation, freezing of gait)

Limitations

Single-patient case report
No control/sham condition described
Outcomes largely described qualitatively in the abstract
Short follow-up (reported at one week)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_report",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "therapeutic pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Two successive treatments of 20 minutes each (5 Hz); one week later two additional successive treatments of 20 minutes each (7 Hz)"
  },
  "population": "73-year-old right-handed man with Parkinson's disease and mild dementia",
  "sample_size": 1,
  "outcomes": [
    "Visuospatial performance (Bicycle Drawing Test)",
    "Agraphia/signature legibility",
    "Parkinsonian motor symptoms (tremor, start hesitation, freezing of gait)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After two 20-minute treatments with AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (7.5 picotesla, 5 Hz), visuospatial drawing performance improved and the patient’s signature became legible. After two additional 20-minute treatments one week later at 7 Hz, the bicycle drawing was described as larger and more organized, the signature normalized, and motor symptoms reportedly improved with near-complete resolution of tremor and gait initiation/freezing problems.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Single-patient case report",
    "No control/sham condition described",
    "Outcomes largely described qualitatively in the abstract",
    "Short follow-up (reported at one week)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Parkinson's disease",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "picotesla",
    "ELF",
    "5 Hz",
    "7 Hz",
    "visuospatial performance",
    "agraphia",
    "tremor",
    "freezing of gait"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "parkinsons",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Case report in Parkinson's disease reporting cognitive and motor changes after EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3109/00207459609070839
PubMed: 9003981

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