Brief, weekly magnetic muscle therapy improves mobility and lean body mass in older adults: a Southeast Asia community case study

Abstract

Brief (10 min) weekly exposure to low energy pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) has been shown to improve human muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics and attenuate systemic lipotoxicity following anterior cruciate ligament surgical reconstruction. Here we present data generated from 101 participants, 62% female, aged 38-91 years, recruited from the QuantumTx Demo Centre in Singapore, wherein 87% of participants (n = 88) presented with pre-existing mobility dysfunction and 13% (n = 13) were healthy volunteers. Participants were recruited if: (i) not pregnant; (ii) above 35 years of age and; (iii) without surgical implants. All participants completed mobility testing, pre-and post-PEMF intervention for 12 weeks, whereas bioelectrical impedance analysis was conducted in a subgroup of 42 and 33 participants at weeks 4 and 8, respectively.Weekly PEMF exposure was associated with significant improvements in mobility (Timed Up and Go, 5 times Sit-to-Stand, and 4m Normal Gait Speed) and body composition (increased skeletal muscle mass and reduced total and visceral fat mass), particularly in the older participants. Perception of pain was also significantly reduced. PEMF therapy may provide a manner to counteract age-associated mobility and metabolic disruptions and merits future investigation in randomized controlled trials to elucidate its clinical benefits in the frail and older adult populations.

The Developmental Implications of Muscle-Targeted Magnetic Mitohormesis: A Human Health and Longevity Perspective

“…These adipogenic effects were clearly apparent in mice despite both white and brown adipose cells in vitro not being responsive to the same ELF-PEMF signature applied to the animal, and shown to be effective on muscle both in vitro and in vivo [ 65 , 106 ]. Studies focussed on endurance exercise agree with the results generated in response to magnetic mitohormetic strategies, demonstrating clear indices of metabolic improvement, whereas muscle mass was modestly improved [ 117 , 133 ]. Nonetheless, improvements in functional mobility were observed in a frail cohort receiving ELF-PEMF therapy, likely reflecting increases in oxidative muscular capacity, enhanced resistance to fatigue and improved metabolism [ 133 ].…”

“…Another recent study showed significant reductions in total and visceral fat deposits in a community-based study examining an older (38–91 years of age) cohort of volunteers. Strikingly, reductions in intra-abdominal and total fat were observed after eight weeks of ELF-PEMF exposure, representing only 80 min of total exposure (10 min/week) [ 133 ]. This finding aligns with previous data showing that visceral fat is particularly prone to exercise-induced adaptive thermogenesis [ 36 , 134 ].…”

“…At the systemic level, the adipogenic consequences of ELF-PEMF therapy were more pronounced than the muscular effects [ 65 , 106 , 133 ]. These adipogenic effects were clearly apparent in mice despite both white and brown adipose cells in vitro not being responsive to the same ELF-PEMF signature applied to the animal, and shown to be effective on muscle both in vitro and in vivo [ 65 , 106 ].…”

Non-Pharmacological Strategies for Managing Sarcopenia in Chronic Diseases

“… 153 In a study conducted by Venugobal et al, 101 participants underwent low-energy pulsed electromagnetic stimulation for 10 minutes once a week. 154 The results indicated significant improvements in mobility (timed to stand and walk, 5 sit-stand, and 4-meter walk) and body composition (increased SMM, decreased total fat mass, and reduction in visceral fat mass).…”

Secretome from Magnetically Stimulated Muscle Exhibits Anticancer Potency: Novel Preconditioning Methodology Highlighting HTRA1 Action

“…These low-energy magnetic fields were shown to activate the PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha) transcriptional pathway [ 3 , 23 , 24 ], classically associated with exercise-induced oxidative adaptations characterized by increased muscular mitochondriogenesis, enhanced systemic fatty acid oxidation, and improved insulin sensitivity [ 5 , 6 ]. Accordingly, the PEMF paradigm employed in the present study has been previously shown to produce parallel mitohormetic adaptations in cells [ 3 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], animals [ 23 ], and humans [ 26 , 27 ]. Most relevantly, as the myokine response is PGC-1α-dependent [ 5 , 6 , 24 ], it can be activated by brief PEMF exposure [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”