Impulse magnetic-field therapy for migraine and other headaches: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy of 4 weeks of impulse magnetic-field therapy (16 Hz, 5 microTs), delivered through a small device, for different types of headache and migraine. Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive either active treatment or placebo (n = 41 each) and were characterized according to one of seven diagnoses (migraine, migraine combined with tension, tension, cluster, weather-related, posttraumatic, or other). Efficacy was assessed in terms of duration, severity, and frequency of migraine and headache attacks, as well as ability to concentrate. Data for 77 patients were analyzed. In the active-treatment group, all assessed criteria were significantly improved at the end of the study (P < .0001 vs baseline and placebo). Seventy-six percent of active-treatment patients experienced clear or very clear relief of their complaints. Only 1 placebo-patient (2.5%) felt some relief; 8% noted slight and 2% reported significant worsening of symptoms. No side effects were noted.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer

“…Clinical trials have been conducted to test magnetic field therapies in managing pain [39,40], tremor [41], epilepsy [42], and migraine headaches [43]. No data support their role in any illness.…”

The efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic field in refractory migraine headaches: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group

“…16 In another study, 76% of participants indicated that they were "clear" or "very clear" of their complaints about headaches, with no side effects from the treatment (4 weeks PEMF: 16 Hz, 5 microT), while no improvement was observed in the control group. 15 The effect of menstrual relationship on the intensity of migraine attacks and medication used for headache, may demonstrate that PEMF has little effect on the women's hormonal fluctuations that trigger the headaches in this group.…”

“…Patients achieved over 70 percent improvement in their activity after using PEME. [15][16][17] Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields may have a beneficial effect in controlling migraines through several mechanisms. The exposure of neural and vascular cells to electromagnetic fields that resonate at 10 Hz can induce intracellular calcium oscillations and change the signaling cascades such as calcium-calmodulin-NO.…”

Efficacy of selected complementary and alternative medicine interventions for chronic pain

“…One study found symptom relief for 77 percent of participants in the treatment group, with 8 percent of controls reporting minor relief and 1 percent reporting moderate relief [11]. The study did not report any follow-up data.…”

“…Several randomized, placebo-controlled trials were conducted with low-power PEMF devices that were worn near the head for approximately 1 month [11][12]. One study found symptom relief for 77 percent of participants in the treatment group, with 8 percent of controls reporting minor relief and 1 percent reporting moderate relief [11].…”