Treatment with electromagnetic field alters the clinical course of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis--a case report.

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

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 4262

Study snapshot

PublicationThe International journal of neuroscience · 1996

Study typecase_report

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

It is estimated that 10-20% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a chronic progressive (CP) course characterized by an insidious of neurological deficits followed by steady progression of disability in the absence of symptomatic remission. No therapeutic modality has shown specific efficacy in the treatment of patients with CP MS and there are no data to indicate that any pharmacologic or other modality alters the clinical course of CP MS. Treatment with picotesla electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is a highly effective modality for the symptomatic management of MS including the chronic progressive form. In addition, this treatment also appears to alter the natural course of the disease in CP patients. A 36 year-old man experienced, at the age of 31, insidious weakness in the legs and several months later developed difficulties with balance with ataxia of gait. His gait abnormality progressed slowly over the following years and at the age of 35 he was severely disabled with spastic paraparesis and ataxia using a rolling walker for ambulation and a scooter for longer distances. In particular, his disability had progressed rapidly over the six months preceding the initiation of treatment with EMFs. He as classified have CP MS and his prognosis was considered extremely unfavorable due to the degree of cerebellar and pyramidal tract involvement and the rapid course of deterioration. In July 1995 the patient began experimental treatment with EMFs. While receiving three treatment sessions a week over 12 months he experienced improvement in cerebellar functions such as gait, balance and tremor as well as bowel and bladder functions, mood, sleep and cognitive function and resolution of diplopia, blurring of vision, dysarthria, paresthesias in the hands, and fatigue. Most remarkably, there was no further progression of the disease during the course of magnetic therapy. This case illustrated that treatment with EMFs, in addition to producing symptomatic improvement, also reverses the clinical course of CP MS.

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

PopulationPatient with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (36-year-old man)

Sample size1

Exposurethree treatment sessions per week over 12 months

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a single patient with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis receiving experimental picotesla electromagnetic field treatment three times weekly for 12 months, the report describes symptomatic improvements (including gait, balance, tremor, bowel/bladder function, mood, sleep, cognition, and resolution of several symptoms) and states there was no further disease progression during treatment.

Outcomes measured

Progression of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
Gait/balance/ataxia
Tremor
Bowel and bladder function
Mood
Sleep
Cognitive function
Diplopia/visual symptoms
Dysarthria
Paresthesias in hands
Fatigue

Limitations

Single-patient case report
No control/comparator described
Experimental treatment; details of EMF parameters (e.g., frequency) not provided in abstract
Outcomes appear largely clinical/symptom-based without standardized measures reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_report",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "therapeutic electromagnetic field treatment (picotesla EMFs)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "three treatment sessions per week over 12 months"
  },
  "population": "Patient with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (36-year-old man)",
  "sample_size": 1,
  "outcomes": [
    "Progression of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis",
    "Gait/balance/ataxia",
    "Tremor",
    "Bowel and bladder function",
    "Mood",
    "Sleep",
    "Cognitive function",
    "Diplopia/visual symptoms",
    "Dysarthria",
    "Paresthesias in hands",
    "Fatigue"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a single patient with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis receiving experimental picotesla electromagnetic field treatment three times weekly for 12 months, the report describes symptomatic improvements (including gait, balance, tremor, bowel/bladder function, mood, sleep, cognition, and resolution of several symptoms) and states there was no further disease progression during treatment.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Single-patient case report",
    "No control/comparator described",
    "Experimental treatment; details of EMF parameters (e.g., frequency) not provided in abstract",
    "Outcomes appear largely clinical/symptom-based without standardized measures reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "multiple sclerosis",
    "chronic progressive",
    "picotesla",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "magnetic therapy",
    "case report"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/00207459608999814
PubMed: 9003966

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