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Weak electromagnetic fields attenuate tremor in multiple sclerosis.

The International journal of neuroscience · 1994 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 4315

In three patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, brief external applications of pulsed AC electromagnetic fields at 7.5 pT intensity reduced intention and postural tremors and were associated with significant functional improvement.

Study snapshot

PublicationThe International journal of neuroscience · 1994
Study typecase_report
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

It has been estimated that about 75% of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) have tremor which can be exceedingly disabling. The most common tremor observed in patients with MS is a cerebellar intention tremor ('kinetic tremor') although postural tremor ('static tremor') is also common and often extremely incapacitating. Currently there is no effective medical treatment for the tremor of MS which, in some severe cases, may be abolished by stereotactic thalamotomy. It was reported recently that extracranial application of brief AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the picotesla (pT) range produced improvement in motor and cognitive functions in patients with MS. The present communication concerns three MS patients with a chronic progressive course of the disease (mean age: 39.3 +/- 8.3 years; mean duration of illness: 11.3 +/- 3.2 years) in whom brief external applications of pulsed EMFs of 7.5 pT intensity reduced intention and postural tremors resulting in significant functional improvement. The report suggests that these extremely low intensity EMFs are beneficial also in the treatment of tremors in MS and that this treatment may serve as an alternative method to stereotactic thalamotomy in the management of tremor in MS. The mechanisms by which EMFs attenuate the tremors of MS are complex and are thought to involve augmentation of GABA and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in the cerebellum and its outflow tracts.

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
PopulationPatients with multiple sclerosis (chronic progressive course)
Sample size3
Exposurebrief external applications
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In three patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, brief external applications of pulsed AC electromagnetic fields at 7.5 pT intensity reduced intention and postural tremors and were associated with significant functional improvement.

Outcomes measured

  • Intention tremor (kinetic tremor)
  • Postural tremor (static tremor)
  • Functional improvement

Limitations

  • Case report design
  • Very small sample size (n=3)
  • No control/sham condition described
  • Exposure parameters beyond intensity (e.g., frequency, pulse characteristics) not specified in the abstract
  • Outcome measurement methods not described in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "case_report",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "extracranial/external pulsed AC electromagnetic fields",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "brief external applications"
  },
  "population": "Patients with multiple sclerosis (chronic progressive course)",
  "sample_size": 3,
  "outcomes": [
    "Intention tremor (kinetic tremor)",
    "Postural tremor (static tremor)",
    "Functional improvement"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In three patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, brief external applications of pulsed AC electromagnetic fields at 7.5 pT intensity reduced intention and postural tremors and were associated with significant functional improvement.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Case report design",
    "Very small sample size (n=3)",
    "No control/sham condition described",
    "Exposure parameters beyond intensity (e.g., frequency, pulse characteristics) not specified in the abstract",
    "Outcome measurement methods not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "multiple sclerosis",
    "tremor",
    "intention tremor",
    "postural tremor",
    "pulsed electromagnetic fields",
    "picotesla",
    "extracranial application",
    "functional improvement"
  ],
  "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: 10.3109/00207459408986081
PubMed: 7744562

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