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Transcranial low‐frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T‐PEMF) as post‐concussion syndrome treatment
Author(s) -
Miller Claire Prener,
Prener Martin,
Dissing Steen,
Paulson Olaf B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.13300
Subject(s) - rivermead post concussion symptoms questionnaire , medicine , post concussion syndrome , tolerability , concussion , traumatic brain injury , anesthesia , transcranial magnetic stimulation , physical therapy , adverse effect , rehabilitation , poison control , injury prevention , stimulation , psychiatry , emergency medicine
Background Treatment options for the subgroup of people who develop long‐lasting symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are limited. Transcranial pulsating low‐frequency electromagnetic stimulation (T‐PEMF) in other patient groups has shown promising results in several studies with proposed neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects. Objective The present pilot study was conducted to access feasibility and tolerability of T‐PEMF in treating post‐concussion syndrome. Methods Seven patients with post‐concussion syndrome received 5 weeks of daily 30 minutes T‐PEMF treatment with evaluation after 2 and 5 weeks and 3 months after ending treatment. Results Compliance was high as all subject completed the full treatment. Two patients however experienced a worsening of their concussion symptoms during the course of treatment. The remaining patients had some discomfort in relation to treatment, mainly headache, but passing and less for each treatment. The majority (n = 5) had a reduction in symptoms overall, up to 61% (2%‐61%) based on the Rivermead Post‐Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Conclusion Further studies on T‐PEMF as a treatment option for post‐concussion syndrome are warranted.