Effects of PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields) treatment on a 68-year-old female with moderate anxiety, chronic neck and low back pain and small vessel ischemia.
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1
Life University, United States
BACKGROUND
A 68-year-old female presented to a chiropractic university clinic with chief complaints of moderate anxiety/depression as well as chronic neck and low back pain. She also reported constant moderate tinnitus and problems with sleep and concentration. She stated that all her symptoms flared up with changes in barometric pressure. Neurological and musculoskeletal exam revealed aberrant posture and a severe left foot drop. Lumbar, atlantoaxial and TMJ degenerative changes were evidenced on x-ray examination. Computerized Tomography (CT) scan evidenced small vessel ischemia.
She was in a severe motor vehicle accident in 2003. The injury sustained in this accident necessitated a laminectomy at the L5-S1 level as a result.
METHODS
Sixteen one-hour PEMF sessions were given to the participant over a 6-week period. The Pulse XL Pro was used to apply the PEMF. The treatments were given at the Life University Campus Center for Health and Optimal Performance. The first session was exploratory to determine the areas with the greatest sensitivity, and the most comfortable frequencies. Protocols were set with frequencies between 1.5 and 7.8, and intensity was set to the patient’s comfortable tolerance.
Pre- and post-outcome written assessments were given to the patient to complete. These included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Brief Pain Index (BPI), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
RESULTS
In this case the BPI scores improved from 5.25 to 4.25 (19%). Her PHQ-9 improved from 15 to 4 (73%) and her anxiety scores improved from 20 to 8 (60%), which evidenced a decrease in her anxiety/depression and pain. Incidental findings included deeper, more restful sleep, increased alertness and markedly reduced tinnitus.
CONCLUSION
PEMF therapy produced beneficial results in this case. Further investigation is warranted to research the benefits of PEMF therapy for patients with these conditions.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Life University Clinics for sponsoring research
Keywords:
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF),
Anxiety,
Chronic back pain,
Neck (Pain),
Small vessel ischemia
Conference:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience, Orlando, United States, 24 May - 26 May, 2019.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Clinical Neuroscience
Citation:
Borges
B and
Esposito
S
(2019). Effects of PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields) treatment on a 68-year-old female with moderate anxiety, chronic neck and low back pain and small vessel ischemia..
Front. Neurol.
Conference Abstract:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2019.62.00023
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Received:
31 Mar 2019;
Published Online:
27 Sep 2019.
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Correspondence:
Dr. Beatrice Borges, Life University, Marietta, United States, Bborges0915@gmail.com