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Effects of 180 mT static magnetic fields on diabetic wound healing in rats.
Jing D, Shen G, Cai J, Li F, Huang J, Wang Y, Xu Q, Tang C, Luo E.
Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Diabetic wound (DW) problems are becoming a formidable clinical
challenge due to the sharp increase in the diabetic population and the
high incidence of DW. Static magnetic field (SMF) therapy, an
inexpensive and accessible noninvasive method, has been proven to be
effective on various tissue repairs. However, the issue of the
therapeutic effect of SMF on DW healing has never been investigated. The
objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of a
180 mT moderate-intensity gradient SMF on DW healing in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty-eight 3-month-old male
Sprague-Dawley rats (32 diabetic and 16 non-diabetic rats) were assigned
to three equal groups: normal wound, DW, and DW + SMF groups. An open
circular wound with 1.5 cm diameter was created in the dorsum. The wound
was covered with a dressing and the magnet was fixed on top of the
dressing. On days 5, 12, and 19, four rats of each group were euthanized
and gross wound area, histology and tensile strength were evaluated.
The wound area determination suggested that SMF significantly increased
the healing rate and reduced the gross healing time. This result was
further confirmed by histological observations. The wound tensile
strength, reflecting the amount and quality of collagen deposition,
increased to a larger extent in the DW + SMF group on days 12 and 19
compared with the DW group.
The results indicated that 180 mT SMF presented a beneficial
effect on diabetic wound (DW) healing, and implied the clinical
potential of static magnetic field therapy in accelerating DW repair and
releasing the psychological and physical burdens of diabetic patients.
Bioelectromagnetics. July 2010. PMID: 20607739.
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Static magnetic field therapy for symptomatic diabetic neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Weintraub MI, Wolfe GI, Barohn RA, Cole SP, Parry GJ, Hayat G, Cohen
JA, Page JC, Bromberg MB, Schwartz SL; Magnetic Research Group.
Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if constant wearing of multipolar, static
magnetic (450G) shoe insoles can reduce neuropathic pain and quality of
life (QOL) scores in symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-control, parallel study.
SETTING: Forty-eight centers in 27 states.
PARTICIPANTS: 375 subjects with DPN stage II or III were
randomly assigned to wear constantly magnetized insoles for 4 months;
the placebo group wore similar, unmagnetized device.
INTERVENTION: Nerve conduction and/or quantified sensory testing were performed serially.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Daily visual analog scale scores for numbness
or tingling and burning and QOL issues were tabulated over 4 months.
Secondary measures included nerve conduction changes, role of placebo,
and safety issues. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA), and chi-square analysis were performed.
RESULTS: There were statistically significant reductions during the third and fourth months in burning (mean change for magnet treatment, -12%; for sham, -3%; P<.05, ANCOVA), numbness and tingling (magnet, -10%; sham, +1%; P<.05, ANCOVA), and exercise-induced foot pain
(magnet, -12%; sham, -4%; P<.05, ANCOVA). For a subset of patients
with baseline severe pain, statistically significant reductions occurred
from baseline through the fourth month in numbness and tingling
(magnet, -32%; sham, -14%; P<.01, ANOVA) and foot pain (magnet, -41%;
sham, -21%; P<.01, ANOVA).
CONCLUSIONS: Static magnetic fields can penetrate up to 20mm and
appear to target the ectopic firing nociceptors in the epidermis and
dermis. Analgesic benefits were achieved over time.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003 May;84(5):736-46.
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Electrotherapy for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a review.
Pieber K, Herceg M, Paternostro-Sluga T.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Vienna, General Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
OBJECTIVE: To review different types of electrotherapy for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
METHODS: A structured search of the electronic database MEDLINE was
performed from the time of its initiation to July 2009. Articles in
English and German were selected.
RESULTS: The efficacy of different types of electrotherapy for
painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been evaluated in 15 studies;
the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are
consistent. The beneficial effects of prolonged use have been reported
in three large studies and one small study. The effects of
frequency-modulated electromagnetic neural stimulation were assessed in
one large study, and a significant reduction in pain was reported. Treatment
with pulsed and static electromagnetic fields has been investigated in
two small and three large studies, and analgesic benefits have been
reported. In one large study focusing on pulsed electromagnetic
fields, no beneficial effect on pain was registered. Only small studies
were found concerning other types of electrotherapy, such as
pulsed-dose electrical stimulation, high-frequency external muscle
stimulation or high-tone external muscle stimulation. The conclusions
drawn in these articles are diverse. Shortcomings and problems,
including a poor study design, were observed in some.
CONCLUSION: Further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
studies comprising larger sample sizes, a longer duration of treatment,
and longer follow-up assessments are required.
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine2010 Apr;42(4):289-95. PMID: 20461329.
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Magnets applied to acupuncture points as therapy - a literature review.
Colbert AP, Cleaver J, Brown KA, Harling N, Hwang Y, Schiffke HC, Brons J, Qin Y.
Helfgott Research Institute, National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA.
OBJECTIVES: To summarise the acu-magnet therapy literature and
determine if the evidence justifies further investigation of acu-magnet
therapy for specific clinical indications.
METHODS: Using various search strategies, a professional librarian
searched six electronic databases (PubMed, AMED, ScienceDirect College
Edition, China Academic Journals, Acubriefs, and the in-house Journal
Article Index maintained by the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
Library). English and Chinese language human studies with all study
designs and for all clinical indications were included. Excluded were
experimental and animal studies, electro-acupuncture and transcranial
magnetic stimulation. Data were extracted on clinical indication, study
design, number, age and gender of subjects, magnetic devices used,
acu-magnet dosing regimens (acu-point site of magnet application and
frequency and duration of treatment), control devices and control
groups, outcomes, and adverse events.
RESULTS: Three hundred and eight citations were retrieved and 50
studies met our inclusion criteria. We were able to obtain and translate
(when necessary) 42 studies. The language of 31 studies was English and
11 studies were in Chinese. The 42 studies reported on 32 different
clinical conditions in 6,453 patients from 1986 - 2007. A
variety of magnetic devices, dosing regimens and control devices were
used. Thirty seven of 42 studies (88%) reported therapeutic benefit. The only adverse events reported were exacerbation of hot flushes and skin irritation from adhesives.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on this literature review we believe further investigation of acu-magnet therapy is warranted particularly for the management of diabetes and insomnia. The overall poor quality of the controlled trials precludes any evidence based treatment recommendations at this time.
Acupuncture Medicine: Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society. 2008 September; 26 (3):160-70.
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Magnets on ears helped diabetics.
Chen Y.
Beijing Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology and Magnet Center, Baltimore, MD 21208, USA.
Magnets were attached on auricular acupuncture points of diabetes
patients. This treatment lowered the blood glucose levels and improved
eye conditions.
Chen Y (2002). "Magnets on ears helped diabetics." The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 30(1):183-5. PMID: 12067093
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Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.
Head KA.
Thorne Research, Inc., PO Box 25, Dover, ID 83825, USA.
Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic
chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs,
alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other
etiologies, results in significant morbidity.
Conventional pain medications primarily mask symptoms and have
significant side effects and addiction profiles. However, a widening
body of research indicates alternative medicine may offer significant
benefit to this patient population.
Alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, methylcobalamin,
and topical capsaicin are among the most well-researched alternative
options for the treatment of PN. Other potential nutrient or botanical
therapies include vitamin E, glutathione, folate, pyridoxine, biotin,
myo-inositol, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-glutamine,
taurine, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St. John's
wort.
In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge conventional therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also hold promise.
Head KA (December 2006). "Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies." Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic. 11(4):294-329. PMID: 17176168
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