Emerging medical applications based on non-ionizing electromagnetic fields from 0 Hz to 10 THz.

Medical devices (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2019 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5571

Study snapshot

PublicationMedical devices (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2019

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The potential for using non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF; at frequencies from 0 Hz up to the THz range) for medical purposes has been of interest since many decades. A number of established and familiar methods are in use all over the world. This review, however, provides an overview of applications that already play some clinical role or are in earlier stages of development. The covered methods include modalities used for bone healing, cancer treatment, neurological conditions, and diathermy. In addition, certain other potential clinical areas are touched upon. Most of the reviewed technologies deal with therapy, whereas just a few diagnostic approaches are mentioned. None of the discussed methods are having such a strong impact in their field of use that they would be expected to replace conventional methods. Partly this is due to a knowledge base that lacks mechanistic explanations for EMF effects at low-intensity levels, which often are used in the applications. Thus, the possible optimal use of EMF approaches is restricted. Other reasons for the limited impact include a scarcity of well-performed randomized clinical trials that convincingly show the efficacy of the methods and that standardized user protocols are mostly lacking. Presently, it seems that some EMF-based methods can have a niche role in treatment and diagnostics of certain conditions, mostly as a complement to or in combination with other, more established, methods. Further development and a stronger impact of these technologies need a better understanding of the interaction mechanisms between EMF and biological systems at lower intensity levels. The importance of the different physical parameters of the EMF exposure needs also further investigations.

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 typereview

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes established and emerging medical applications of non-ionizing EMF from 0 Hz to the THz range, mainly therapeutic uses with fewer diagnostic approaches. It concludes that current EMF-based methods generally have limited clinical impact and are unlikely to replace conventional methods, citing limited mechanistic understanding at low intensities, scarcity of well-performed randomized clinical trials demonstrating efficacy, and lack of standardized protocols; some methods may have niche complementary roles.

Outcomes measured

Medical/clinical applications of non-ionizing EMF (therapy and diagnostics)
Bone healing
Cancer treatment
Neurological conditions
Diathermy

Limitations

Narrative overview; no quantitative synthesis reported in abstract
Notes scarcity of well-performed randomized clinical trials for many applications
Mechanistic explanations for low-intensity EMF effects are described as lacking
Standardized user protocols are mostly lacking

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Medical/clinical applications of non-ionizing EMF (therapy and diagnostics)",
    "Bone healing",
    "Cancer treatment",
    "Neurological conditions",
    "Diathermy"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes established and emerging medical applications of non-ionizing EMF from 0 Hz to the THz range, mainly therapeutic uses with fewer diagnostic approaches. It concludes that current EMF-based methods generally have limited clinical impact and are unlikely to replace conventional methods, citing limited mechanistic understanding at low intensities, scarcity of well-performed randomized clinical trials demonstrating efficacy, and lack of standardized protocols; some methods may have niche complementary roles.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative overview; no quantitative synthesis reported in abstract",
    "Notes scarcity of well-performed randomized clinical trials for many applications",
    "Mechanistic explanations for low-intensity EMF effects are described as lacking",
    "Standardized user protocols are mostly lacking"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-ionizing electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF therapy",
    "THz",
    "bone healing",
    "cancer treatment",
    "neurological conditions",
    "diathermy",
    "diagnostics",
    "clinical applications"
  ],
  "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: 10.2147/mder.s214152
PubMed: 31565000

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