Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) reduces oxidative stress and improves functional and psychological status in ischemic stroke patients.

PAPER pubmed Bioelectromagnetics 2017 Other Effect: benefit Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1002/bem.22055 PMID: 28430370 Evidence Lab

Abstract

As a result of ischaemia/reperfusion, massive generation of reactive oxygen species occurs, followed by decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) can modulate oxidative stress, but there are no clinical antioxidant studies in brain stroke patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of ELF-EMF on clinical and antioxidant status in post-stroke patients. Fifty-seven 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 ELF-EMF field of 40 Hz, 7 mT for 15 min/day for 4 weeks (5 days a week). The activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was measured in hemolysates, and total antioxidant status (TAS) determined in plasma. Functional status was assessed before and after the series of treatments using Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Applied ELF-EMF significantly increased enzymatic antioxidant activity; however, TAS levels did not change in either group. Results show that ELF-EMF induced a significant improvement in functional (ADL) and mental (MMSE, GDS) status. Clinical parameters had positive correlation with the level of enzymatic antioxidant protection. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:386-396, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Other

Effect direction

benefit

Population

Post-stroke (ischemic stroke) patients undergoing rehabilitation

Sample size

Exposure

ELF · 4.0E-5 MHz · 15 min/day for 4 weeks (5 days/week)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with a non-ELF-EMF group receiving the same 4-week rehabilitation program, the ELF-EMF group (40 Hz, 7 mT, 15 min/day) showed significantly increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, while total antioxidant status (TAS) did not change in either group. The ELF-EMF group also showed significant improvements in functional (ADL) and mental/psychological measures (MMSE, GDS), and clinical parameters positively correlated with enzymatic antioxidant protection.

Outcomes measured

Catalase activity
Superoxide dismutase activity
Total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

Limitations

Study design details (e.g., randomization, blinding) not described in the abstract
No change observed in TAS despite changes in enzymatic antioxidant activity

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 4.00000000000000032721221565612523818344925530254840850830078125e-5,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "15 min/day for 4 weeks (5 days/week)"
    },
    "population": "Post-stroke (ischemic stroke) patients undergoing rehabilitation",
    "sample_size": 57,
    "outcomes": [
        "Catalase activity",
        "Superoxide dismutase activity",
        "Total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma",
        "Activities of Daily Living (ADL)",
        "Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)",
        "Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with a non-ELF-EMF group receiving the same 4-week rehabilitation program, the ELF-EMF group (40 Hz, 7 mT, 15 min/day) showed significantly increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, while total antioxidant status (TAS) did not change in either group. The ELF-EMF group also showed significant improvements in functional (ADL) and mental/psychological measures (MMSE, GDS), and clinical parameters positively correlated with enzymatic antioxidant protection.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Study design details (e.g., randomization, blinding) not described in the abstract",
        "No change observed in TAS despite changes in enzymatic antioxidant activity"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ischemic stroke",
        "rehabilitation",
        "oxidative stress",
        "antioxidant enzymes",
        "catalase",
        "superoxide dismutase",
        "TAS",
        "ADL",
        "MMSE",
        "GDS"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Comments

No comments yet.