The influence of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) on cutaneous blood flow in healthy volunteers1

The Application of Infrared Thermography in the Assessment of BEMER Physical Vascular Therapy on Body Surface Temperature in Racing Thoroughbreds: A Preliminary Study

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of BEMER (Physical Vascular Therapy) on body surface temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) in the distal parts of the forelimbs in Thoroughbreds. The study tested the hypothesis that BEMER therapy leads to an increase in body surface temperature and blood vessel diameter in the distal parts of the forelimbs. The study involved 16 horses, split into 2 groups: active BEMER (n = 8) and sham (n = 8). The active BEMER group had BEMER boots applied to the distal parts of the forelimbs, whereas the sham group had BEMER boots applied without activation of the device. Both groups underwent IRT examination to detect changes in body surface temperature, followed by ultrasonographic examination to assess changes in vein and artery diameter before (BT) and just after (JAT) therapy. The IRT examination was repeated 15 min after BEMER therapy (15AT). There were no significant body surface temperature differences between BT and JAT in any regions of interest (ROIs) in either group. In the active BEMER group, the ROIs did not change significantly at 15AT, compared to the temperatures measured at BT (except for the hooves). At 15AT the temperature of all the ROIs (except the fetlock bone) dropped significantly in the sham group. In the ultrasonographic examination, there was a significant increase in vein and artery diameter in the study group JAT, whereas the sham group had a significant increase only in artery diameter JAT. These results suggest an effect of BEMER on stimulating blood circulation in the distal parts of the forelimbs in clinically healthy horses. IRT did not identify changes in skin surface temperature after BEMER therapy at the distal parts of the forelimbs.

Treatment of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) with an electromagnetic field coupled to biorhythmically defined impulse configuration: the MicrocircMODS study

BACKGROUND

To potentially improve impaired vasomotion of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), we tested whether an electromagnetic field of low flux density coupled with a biorhythmically defined impulse configuration (Physical Vascular Therapy BEMER®, PVT), in addition to standard care, is safe and feasible and might improve disturbed microcirculatory blood flow and thereby improve global haemodynamics.

METHODS

In a prospective, monocentric, one-arm pilot study, 10 MODS patients (APACHE II score 20-35) were included. Patients were treated, in addition to standard care, for 4 days with PVT (3 treatment periods of 8 min each day; day 1: field intensity 10.5 μT; day 2:14 μT, day 3:17.5 μT; day 4:21.0 μT). Primary endpoint was the effect of PVT on sublingual microcirculatory perfusion, documented by microvascular flow index (MFI). Patient safety, adverse events, and outcomes were documented.

RESULTS

An increase in MFI by approximately 25% paralleled 4-day PVT, with the increase starting immediately after the first PVT and lasting over the total 4-day treatment period. Concerning global haemodynamics (secondary endpoints), halving vasopressor use within 24 h, and haemodynamic stabilisation paralleled 4-day PVT with an increase in cardiac index, stroke volume index, and cardiac power index by 30%-50%. No adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs) were classified as causally related to the medical product (PVT) or study. Three patients died within 28 days and one patient between 28 and 180 days.

CONCLUSION

PVT treatment was feasible and safe and could be performed without obstruction of standard patient care. An increase in microcirculatory blood flow, a rapid reduction in vasopressor use, and an improvement in global haemodynamics paralleled PVT treatment. Findings of this pilot study allowed forming a concept for a randomized trial for further proof.

Do Magnetic Fields Have a Place in Treating Vascular Complications in Diabetes?

The use of electromagnetic field therapy (EMFT) is a non-invasive, potential alternative or complementary choice in the treatment of wounds, chronic pain, neuropathy, and other medical conditions, including tissue repair and cell proliferation. Static magnetic fields (SMFs) have been reported to increase microcirculatory blood flow by mediating vasodilation via nitric oxide. Studies report that SMF exposure causes homeostatic, normalizing effects on the vascular tone that may have beneficial effects in situations where tissue perfusion is limited, such as may be present in diabetes. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have also shown promise in treating diabetic wounds by improving wound healing rates and other attributes. Our purpose was to critically review prior applications of EMFT for relevancy and effectiveness in treating diabetic complications. The goal was to provide information to allow for informed decisions on the possible use of these modalities in the treatment of persons with diabetic complications. The focus was on the following major areas: wound healing, neuropathy, blood glucose control, blood flow, inflammation and oxidative stress.