The Short-Term Effect of Occupational Levels of 50 Hz Electromagnetic Field on Human Heart Rate Variability

Biological Effects of Magnetic Storms and ELF Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields are a constant and essential part of our environment. The main components of ambient magnetic fields are the constant part of the geomagnetic field, its fluctuations caused by magnetic storms, and man-made magnetic fields. These fields refer to extremely-low-frequency (<1 kHz) magnetic fields (ELF-MFs). Since the 1980s, a huge amount of data has been accumulated on the biological effects of magnetic fields, in particular ELF-MFs. However, a unified picture of the patterns of action of magnetic fields has not been formed. Even though a unified mechanism has not yet been generally accepted, several theories have been proposed. In this review, we attempted to take a new approach to analyzing the quantitative data on the effects of ELF-MFs to identify new potential areas for research. This review provides general descriptions of the main effects of magnetic storms and anthropogenic fields on living organisms (molecular-cellular level and whole organism) and a brief description of the main mechanisms of magnetic field effects on living organisms. This review may be of interest to specialists in the fields of biology, physics, medicine, and other interdisciplinary areas.

System-level biological effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields: an in vivo experimental review

During the past decades, the potential effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on human health have gained great interest all around the world. Though the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection recommended a 100 μT, and then a 200 μT magnetic field limit, the long-term effects of ELF-EMFs on organisms and systems need to be further investigated. It was reported that both electrotherapy and possible effects on human health could be induced under ELF-EM radiation with varied EM frequencies and fields. This present article intends to systematically review the in vivo experimental outcome and the corresponding mechanisms to shed some light on the safety considerations of ELF-EMFs. This will further advance the subsequent application of electrotherapy in human health.

Nasal mucociliary clearance after extremely low frequency by scintigraphic and histopathologic evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) by rhinosintigrapic and histopathological evaluation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were separated into three groups according to ELF-MFs intensity and control group. The exposure groups were standardized for the ELF-MFs of 1, 1.5, and 2 mT emitted by 3 Helmholtz coils for 4 h/day for 30 days. Rhinoscintigraphy was performed to measure nasal MCC. The nasal tissues were examined for edema, inflammation, hyperemia, necrosis, ciliary loss, goblet cell density, and fibroblast proliferation. The data were evaluated statistically (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Nasal mucociliary clearance rates (NMCR) were calculated as 33.13 ± 5.91% in control, 27.78 ± 4.7% in 1 mT, 22.67 ± 5.43% in 1.5 mT, and 18.11 ± 6.33% in 2 mT. NMCR were decreased with increasing ELF-MFs, in 1.5 and 2 mT groups (p < 0.05) compared to control. Nasal mucociliary transport rate (NMTR) values were found to be 2.17 ± 0.33 mm/min in control, 1.82 ± 0.32 mm/min in 1 mT, 1.46 ± 0.34 mm/min in 1.5 mT and 1.24 ± 0.29 mm/min in 2 mT. NMTR was decreased in the groups exposed to 1.5 and 2 mT (p < 0.05) compared to control. The edema, hyperemia, inflammation, ciliary loss, and goblet cell density were statistically significant differences between control and groups exposed to 1.5 and 2 mT (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our rat model has shown nasal mucosa damage and decreased NMCR and NMTR by rhinoscintigraphy as ELF-MFs intensity increases. It may be detrimental to nasal mucosa mucociliary function depending on the ELF-MFs intensity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A Laryngoscope, 133:2081-2089, 2023.

Modulation of Heart Rate Variability following PAP Ion Magnetic Induction Intervention in Subjects with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has emerged as a simple and non-invasive technique to indirectly evaluate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and it is considered a sensible and advanced index of health status. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are widely used in clinical settings for improving the health status of individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The aim of the present single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel pilot study was to investigate the acute effect of a single session of PEMFs stimulation by a PAP ion magnetic induction (PAPIMI) device on ANS activity, as measured by HRV, in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and compare such effect with that induced by a sham (control) PAPIMI inductor. Thirty-two patients were randomized into two groups: PAPIMI intervention (PAP) (n = 17) and sham PAPIMI intervention (SHAM-PAP) (n = 15). HRV was assessed before and following the interventions. The PAP group showed a significant increase in all values of the time-domain parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, and pNN50) and the HF component of HRV, suggesting a parasympathetic effect. In contrast, the SHAM-PAP group showed no significant differences in all HRV indices following the intervention. Preliminary findings suggested that PAPIMI inductor could influence ANS activity and provided initial evidence of the potential physiological response induced by the PAPIMI device.

Electromagnetic field therapy in cardiovascular diseases: A review of patents, clinically effective devices, and mechanism of therapeutic effects

In recent years, electromagnetic field (EMF) therapy has gathered much attention for its protective effects on cardiovascular functions. From reviewing the literature, it is evident that exposure to specific EMF spectrums, such as static- and extremely low frequency (ELF)- EMFs, by EMF-generating devices can be considered as a safe method for therapeutic means in various cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. This review article will describe registered patents and non-invasive clinically effective devices that generate EMF to target various cardiovascular diseases based on their mechanism of therapeutic effects.