Reversal of a visuoconstructional disorder by weak electromagnetic fields in a child with Tourette's syndrome.

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

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 5399

Study snapshot

PublicationThe International journal of neuroscience · 1997

Study typecase_report

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Tourette's syndrome (TS), a chronic familial neuropsychiatric disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized clinically by the occurrence of motor and vocal tics and by the presence of a variety of neurobehavioral and neurocognitive abnormalities including hyperactivity, self-mutilatory behavior, obsessive-compulsive behavior, learning disabilities, and conduct disorder. Cognitive deficits related to right hemispheric dysfunction are common in TS patients accounting for decrements in visuospatial, visuoconstructional and visuomotor skills. An 11 year old boy with a 5 years history of TS exhibited during a routine neuropsychological assessment an unusual visuoconstructional disorder which previously has been observed in dyslexic children. Specifically, when instructed to draw a bicycle from memory, he drew spontaneously a design executed from the perspective of a bird's eye view. After receiving a 20 minute treatment session with picotesla range electromagnetic fields (EMFs) applied extracranially, this visuocontructional disorder was spontaneously reversed and he drew an elaborate and detailed bicycle positioned in profile. A placebo EMF treatment, which was administered prior to magnetic therapy, had no effect on this child's visuoconstructional disorder. During the ensuing week there was a marked reduction in the child's hyperactive behavior with attentuation of motor tics. Spontaneous drawing of a bicycle a week after the administration of magnetic therapy was executed in profile although some elements were presented from a bird's eye view. This case demonstrates the potential impact of treatment with picotesla EMFs in reversing specific cognitive deficits in TS related to right posterior hemispheric dysfunction.

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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

Population11-year-old boy with Tourette's syndrome (5-year history)

Sample size1

Exposure20 minute treatment session; follow-up described over ensuing week

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After a 20-minute extracranial picotesla-range EMF treatment, the child’s unusual visuoconstructional drawing (bird’s-eye view bicycle) was reported to reverse spontaneously to an elaborate bicycle in profile. A placebo EMF treatment administered prior to magnetic therapy reportedly had no effect. Over the ensuing week, hyperactive behavior was markedly reduced with attenuation of motor tics; at one week the bicycle drawing remained in profile though some elements were still bird’s-eye view.

Outcomes measured

Visuoconstructional performance (drawing a bicycle from memory; perspective/profile)
Hyperactive behavior
Motor tics

Limitations

Single case report (n=1)
Details of EMF parameters (e.g., frequency, waveform, dosing) not provided in abstract
Outcome measures appear qualitative and may be subjective (drawing interpretation; behavioral changes)
Short follow-up duration (about one week)
Placebo condition described but blinding/randomization procedures not specified in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_report",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "therapeutic extracranial electromagnetic fields (picotesla range)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "20 minute treatment session; follow-up described over ensuing week"
  },
  "population": "11-year-old boy with Tourette's syndrome (5-year history)",
  "sample_size": 1,
  "outcomes": [
    "Visuoconstructional performance (drawing a bicycle from memory; perspective/profile)",
    "Hyperactive behavior",
    "Motor tics"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After a 20-minute extracranial picotesla-range EMF treatment, the child’s unusual visuoconstructional drawing (bird’s-eye view bicycle) was reported to reverse spontaneously to an elaborate bicycle in profile. A placebo EMF treatment administered prior to magnetic therapy reportedly had no effect. Over the ensuing week, hyperactive behavior was markedly reduced with attenuation of motor tics; at one week the bicycle drawing remained in profile though some elements were still bird’s-eye view.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Single case report (n=1)",
    "Details of EMF parameters (e.g., frequency, waveform, dosing) not provided in abstract",
    "Outcome measures appear qualitative and may be subjective (drawing interpretation; behavioral changes)",
    "Short follow-up duration (about one week)",
    "Placebo condition described but blinding/randomization procedures not specified in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Tourette's syndrome",
    "picotesla electromagnetic fields",
    "magnetic therapy",
    "visuoconstructional disorder",
    "visuospatial",
    "right hemispheric dysfunction",
    "placebo",
    "motor tics",
    "hyperactivity",
    "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: 10.3109/00207459709000635
PubMed: 9352424

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