A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity

Tran, Marie Thi Dao; Skovbjerg, Sine; Arendt-Nielsen, Lars; Elberling, Jesper

doi:10.1017/neu.2016.51

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…For example, sham rTMS was shown to reduce [ 11 C] raclopride binding potentials in the striatum of patients with PD, which indicated a placebo induced increase in dopaminergic neurotransmission [ 38 ]. Non-motor placebo effects of T-PEMF performed in other patient populations have also been reported [ 26 , 39 ]. Therefore, although we cannot determine the cause of improvement across groups, we expect the learning effect to be negligible and consider the improvements on CT STS and CT DBP to be a result of the placebo effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Effect of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) on functional rate of force development and movement speed in persons with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized clinical trial

et al. 2018

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BackgroundParkinson’s disease is caused by dopaminergic neurodegeneration resulting in motor impairments as slow movement speed and impaired balance and coordination. Pulsed electromagnetic fields are suggested to have neuroprotective effects, and could alleviate symptoms.ObjectiveTo study 1) effects of 8-week daily transcranial pulsed electromagnetic field treatment on functional rate of force development and movement speed during two motor tasks with different levels of complexity, 2) if treatment effects depend on motor performance at baseline.MethodsNinety-seven persons with Parkinson’s disease were randomized to active transcranial pulsed electromagnetic field (squared bipolar 3 ms pulses, 50 Hz) or placebo treatment with homebased treatment 30 min/day for 8 weeks. Functional rate of force development and completion time of a sit-to-stand and a dynamic postural balance task were assessed pre and post intervention. Participants were sub-grouped in high- and low-performers according to their baseline motor performance level. Repeated measure ANOVAs were used.ResultsActive treatment tended to improve rate of force development during chair rise more than placebo (P = 0.064). High-performers receiving active treatment improved rate of force development during chair rise more than high-performers receiving placebo treatment (P = 0.049, active/placebo: 11.9±1.1 to 12.5±1.9 BW/s ≈ 5% / 12.4±1.3 to 12.2±1.3 BW/s, no change). No other between-treatment-group or between-treatment-subgroup differences were found. Data on rate of force development of the dynamic balance task and completion times of both motor tasks improved but did not allow for between-treatment differentiation.ConclusionTreatment with transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields was superior to placebo regarding functional rate of force development during chair rise among high-performers. Active treatment tended to increase functional rate of force development while placebo did not. Our results suggest that mildly affected persons with Parkinson’s disease have a larger potential for neural rehabilitation than more severely affected persons and indicate that early treatment initiation may be beneficial.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Effect of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) on functional rate of force development and movement speed in persons with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized clinical trial

et al. 2018

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“…A new concept is the so-called “Central Sensitivity Syndromes”, which include the MCS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, i.e., syndromes with considerable overlap of symptoms and mutual comorbidities [ 27 , 28 ]. These illnesses could have common pathophysiological mechanisms based on central sensitization [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: A Principal Component Analysis of Symptoms

Casale

Ferracuti

Mosca

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic and/or recurrent condition with somatic, cognitive, and affective symptoms following a contact with chemical agents whose concentrations do not correlate with toxicity in the general population. Its prevalence is not well defined; it mainly affects women between 40 and 50 years, without variations in ethnicity, education and economic status. We aimed to assess the core symptoms of this illness in a sample of Italian patients. Two physicians investigated different symptoms with a checklist compilation in 129 patients with MCS (117 women). We conducted a categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) with Varimax rotation on the checklist dataset. A typical triad was documented: hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea were the most common symptoms. Patients also frequently showed cough and headache. The CATPCA showed seven main factors: 1, neurocognitive symptoms; 2, physical (objective) symptoms; 3, gastrointestinal symptoms; 4, dermatological symptoms; 5, anxiety-depressive symptoms; 6, respiratory symptoms; 7, hyperosmia and asthenia. Patients showed higher mean prevalence of factors 7 (89.9%), 6 (71.7%), and 1 (62.13%). In conclusion, MCS patients frequently manifest hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea, which are often concomitant with other respiratory and neurocognitive symptoms. Considering the clinical association that is often made with anxiety, more studies are necessary on the psychosomatic aspects of this syndrome. Further analytical epidemiological studies are needed to support the formulation of aetiological hypotheses of MCS.

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“…It has been demonstrated that nasal sprays with hyaluronic acid used to treat olfactory symptoms can improve the well-being of affected study subjects [42]. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has also been shown to improve the symptom burden, while having no effects on functional impairment [43].…”

Section: Characteristics Of Mild Disease and Possible Favorable Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) – a guide for dermatologists on how to manage affected individuals

Harter¹,

Hammel²,

Fleming

et al. 2020

J Deutsche Derma Gesell

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Summary Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a condition characterized by a subjectively perceived increase in sensitivity to environmental chemicals. Individuals affected report a wide variety of nonspecific complaints, and frequently attribute cutaneous and mucosal symptoms to chemical exposures. Dermatologists should therefore be familiar with this condition. MCS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Other causes for the patients’ symptoms should be ruled out by routine laboratory tests, allergy tests and, if indicated, monitoring for toxic (environmental) substances. The primary job of dermatologists is to rule out skin diseases or hypersensitivities as possible causes of the complaints. Interdisciplinary patient management is essential, especially in severe cases in which those affected have problems coping with everyday life. Relevant specialties in this context include environmental medicine, psychosomatic medicine as well as occupational and social medicine. Cutaneous symptoms are usually addressed with symptomatic treatment using basic skin care products. There are currently no evidence‐based treatment recommendations for MCS. It is crucial that MCS patients be protected from unnecessary treatments and thus from mental, social and financial strain. In addition to medical skills, managing MCS patients requires communicative and psychosocial competence in particular. Physicians involved in the treatment will benefit from training in psychotherapy. Irrespective of the mechanisms that lead to MCS, diagnosis and treatment of this condition require an actively supportive attitude towards these patients, a good doctor‐patient relationship and interdisciplinary cooperation.

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A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity

Abstract: PEMF treatment of 6 weeks showed no effect on functional impairments in MCS. However, a significant decrease in symptom severity was observed.

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Effect of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) on functional rate of force development and movement speed in persons with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized clinical trial

Effect of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) on functional rate of force development and movement speed in persons with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized clinical trial

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: A Principal Component Analysis of Symptoms

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) – a guide for dermatologists on how to manage affected individuals

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