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Electromagnetic field stimulation facilitates motor neuron excitability, myogenesis and muscle contractility in spinal cord transected rats.

Journal of biosciences · 2022 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5717

In spinal cord transected rats, EMF stimulation for 7 or 14 days was associated with significant improvements in H and M wave parameters and H/M ratio, increased muscle twitch and tetanic force, improved fusion frequency and fatigability, increased regenerati…

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of biosciences · 2022
Study typeanimal
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating injuries which causes either complete or partial loss of movement, balance, muscular coordination and endurance. Electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulation has been shown to reduce muscle atrophy and fiber-type switching and improves muscle function in a hindlimb suspension model. The present study aims to elucidate the therapeutic potential of EMF stimulation on motor neuron excitability, soleus muscle morphology and function in complete SCI rats. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham, SCI and SCI+EMF groups. Complete transection was done at the T13 spinal level, followed by whole-body EMF exposure for 7 or 14 days. Hyper-reflexia, muscle atrophy, reduction in twitch and tetanic force with earlier onset of fatigue was evident in the SCI group. EMF stimulation showed significant improvement in H and M wave parameters, H/M ratio, muscle twitch and tetanic force, fusion frequency and fatigability. A significant increase in regenerating myofibers and reduction in muscle degeneration following EMF was evident on histopathological examination. Further, EMF significantly increased myogenic protein levels responsible for muscle regeneration. Our study demonstrates for the first time the potential of EMF to modulate motor neuron excitability and muscle contractile function in SCI rats through activity-dependent mechanisms.

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 typeanimal
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationAdult male Wistar rats with complete spinal cord transection (T13)
Sample size36
Exposure7 or 14 days
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In spinal cord transected rats, EMF stimulation for 7 or 14 days was associated with significant improvements in H and M wave parameters and H/M ratio, increased muscle twitch and tetanic force, improved fusion frequency and fatigability, increased regenerating myofibers with reduced muscle degeneration, and increased myogenic protein levels compared with SCI controls.

Outcomes measured

  • Motor neuron excitability (H and M wave parameters, H/M ratio)
  • Soleus muscle morphology (atrophy/degeneration, regenerating myofibers; histopathology)
  • Muscle function (twitch force, tetanic force, fusion frequency, fatigability/fatigue onset)
  • Myogenic protein levels related to muscle regeneration

Limitations

  • EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity/SAR) not reported in the abstract
  • Animal model (rats) may not generalize to humans
  • Only adult male rats were studied
  • Follow-up limited to 7 or 14 days post-exposure
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "whole-body EMF exposure (stimulation)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "7 or 14 days"
  },
  "population": "Adult male Wistar rats with complete spinal cord transection (T13)",
  "sample_size": 36,
  "outcomes": [
    "Motor neuron excitability (H and M wave parameters, H/M ratio)",
    "Soleus muscle morphology (atrophy/degeneration, regenerating myofibers; histopathology)",
    "Muscle function (twitch force, tetanic force, fusion frequency, fatigability/fatigue onset)",
    "Myogenic protein levels related to muscle regeneration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In spinal cord transected rats, EMF stimulation for 7 or 14 days was associated with significant improvements in H and M wave parameters and H/M ratio, increased muscle twitch and tetanic force, improved fusion frequency and fatigability, increased regenerating myofibers with reduced muscle degeneration, and increased myogenic protein levels compared with SCI controls.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "EMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity/SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Animal model (rats) may not generalize to humans",
    "Only adult male rats were studied",
    "Follow-up limited to 7 or 14 days post-exposure"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field",
    "EMF stimulation",
    "spinal cord injury",
    "motor neuron excitability",
    "H-reflex",
    "M-wave",
    "H/M ratio",
    "soleus muscle",
    "myogenesis",
    "muscle contractility",
    "fatigability",
    "Wistar rat"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental EMF stimulation study in a rat spinal cord injury model assessing neuromuscular outcomes."
    }
  ]
}
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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 36510440

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