Benign Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Brain Plasticity Assessed by Nitric Oxide Metabolism during Poststroke Rehabilitation.

Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity · 2017 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4900

In the ELF-EMF group (40 Hz, 7 mT, 15 min/day) 3-nitrotyrosine and nitrate/nitrite levels increased significantly. NOS2 expression decreased insignificantly in both groups, and ELF-EMF treatments were reported to improve functional and mental status after the…

Study snapshot

PublicationOxidative medicine and cellular longevity · 2017

Study typeother

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important signal molecules, involved in both physiological and pathological processes. As a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, NO regulates cerebral blood flow, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on generation and metabolism of NO, as a neurotransmitter, in the rehabilitation of poststroke patients. Forty-eight patients were divided into two groups: ELF-EMF and non-ELF-EMF. Both groups underwent the same 4-week rehabilitation program. Additionally, the ELF-EMF group was exposed to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field of 40 Hz, 7 mT, for 15 min/day. Levels of 3-nitrotyrosine, nitrate/nitrite, and TNF in plasma samples were measured, and NOS2 expression was determined in whole blood samples. Functional status was evaluated before and after a series of treatments, using the Activity Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination. We observed that application of ELF-EMF significantly increased 3-nitrotyrosine and nitrate/nitrite levels, while expression of NOS2 was insignificantly decreased in both groups. The results also show that ELF-EMF treatments improved functional and mental status. We conclude that ELF-EMF therapy is capable of promoting recovery in poststroke patients.

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 typeother

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPoststroke patients undergoing rehabilitation

Sample size48

ExposureELF · 15 min/day for 4 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine levels
Plasma nitrate/nitrite levels
Plasma TNF levels
NOS2 expression in whole blood
Functional status (Activity Daily Living)
Mental status (Geriatric Depression Scale)
Cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination)

Limitations

Study type (e.g., randomized/blinded) not specified in the abstract
Details of TNF results not reported in the abstract
Magnitude of functional/mental status changes and between-group comparisons not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "rehabilitation therapy device",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "15 min/day for 4 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Poststroke patients undergoing rehabilitation",
  "sample_size": 48,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine levels",
    "Plasma nitrate/nitrite levels",
    "Plasma TNF levels",
    "NOS2 expression in whole blood",
    "Functional status (Activity Daily Living)",
    "Mental status (Geriatric Depression Scale)",
    "Cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In the ELF-EMF group (40 Hz, 7 mT, 15 min/day) 3-nitrotyrosine and nitrate/nitrite levels increased significantly. NOS2 expression decreased insignificantly in both groups, and ELF-EMF treatments were reported to improve functional and mental status after the 4-week rehabilitation program.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Study type (e.g., randomized/blinded) not specified in the abstract",
    "Details of TNF results not reported in the abstract",
    "Magnitude of functional/mental status changes and between-group comparisons not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "stroke rehabilitation",
    "nitric oxide",
    "3-nitrotyrosine",
    "nitrate",
    "nitrite",
    "TNF",
    "NOS2",
    "brain plasticity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "rehabilitation-therapy",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study evaluates ELF-EMF as an adjunct therapy during poststroke rehabilitation."
    },
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Exposure is extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (40 Hz, 7 mT)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1155/2017/2181942
PubMed: 29138675

Read the original paper →

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