Can Pulsed EMF Benefit Chronic Depression and Other Mental Health Conditions?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, or Pulsed EMF/ PEMF is known to have beneficial effects to managing pain, healing injuries, and even improving hypertension.  Now, PEMF is being investigated to determine if it can be used to treat depression and other mental conditions.

The working model that explains the mechanism of action of PEMF is that electromagnetic fields are capable of influencing the movement of electrical charges.  Living organisms have positively and negatively charged atoms, called ions that flow in cells and tissues.  Examples include Na+, K+ and Cl- (sodium, potassium and chloride ions, respectively).  They are used to create electrochemical gradients (electrical potential; i.e. voltage) that conduct nerve impulses and move molecules into and out of cells.  The theory behind PEMF is that in some diseased states, this ionic flow is weak or encumbered, and electromagnetic fields can be used to improve the movement of these ions, thus helping cells perform their function better.

Since the brain is comprised of billions of neurons, proper brain function relies on efficient neuron electrical impulses (messages) between groups of neurons.  Pulsed EMF may influence such messaging between neurons in a way that can alleviate depression.

The following summaries of three studies explain some of the successes of pulsed EMF in having a therapeutic effect on brain health/ depression:

Transcranial Low Voltage Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression

Biological Psychiatry
Volume 68, Issue 2, 15 July 2010, Pages 163-169
Klaus Martiny, Marianne Lunde, Per Bech

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20385376/

Study Purpose and Methodology

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic field (T-PEMF) therapy as an additional treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Participants with moderate to severe depression, who did not respond to electroconvulsive therapy, received T-PEMF treatment for 8 weeks. The researchers assessed the participants' depression symptoms using different scales such as the Hamilton Depression Scale and the WHO-5 well-being scale.

Key Takeaways

• The study found that T-PEMF therapy led to a significant reduction in depression symptoms and an improvement in well-being.
• Patients with nonchronic depression had better outcomes compared to those with chronic depression.
• Response and remission rates were higher in participants who completed the study.
• T-PEMF therapy showed promising results in treating treatment-resistant depression, especially for individuals who did not respond well to other treatments like electroconvulsive therapy.
• The study supports the use of T-PEMF as a potential treatment option for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, although further randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore factors influencing treatment response.

Treatment of depression with low-strength transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields: A mechanistic point of view

M. van Belkum, F.J. Bosker, R. Kortekaas, D.G.M. Beersma, R.A. Schoevers Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
Volume 71, 3 November 2016, Pages 137-143

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584616301117

Study Summary

This study examined the effectiveness of Transcranial Low Voltage Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (T-PEMF) in treating individuals with treatment-resistant depression. The study aimed to compare the outcomes of T-PEMF treatment with a sham treatment and investigate any side effects. The researchers explored how T-PEMF stimulation impacts the brain to alleviate depression symptoms.

Methods

The study involved administering T-PEMF treatment to individuals with treatment-resistant depression and comparing their progress with those who received a sham treatment. The participants were closely monitored for side effects. Researchers also investigated how T-PEMF stimulation influenced the brain to improve depression symptoms.

Key Findings

The study revealed that T-PEMF treatment was more effective in managing treatment-resistant depression compared to the sham treatment. Additionally, individuals undergoing T-PEMF therapy reported minimal side effects. The researchers discussed how PEMF stimulation on the brain played a crucial role in alleviating depression symptoms.

High-Frequency and Low-Intensity Patterned Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex as Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Report of 3 Cases

L. Castillo-Aguilar, A. Ríos-Ponce, E. Albano de Mendonca et. al

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crips/2021/5563017/

This study explores the use of high-frequency and low-intensity patterned transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in three patients with major depressive disorder. After 15 sessions of treatment, all three patients experienced significant improvement in their symptoms. The authors suggest that this new variant of magnetic stimulation, known as high-frequency low-intensity pulsed transcranial magnetic stimulation (HFLIP TMS), may be effective in treating depression by potentially improving mood and insomnia symptoms. However, they emphasize the need for further research, including clinical trials with appropriate sham controls, to fully understand the efficacy of this treatment approach.

Conclusion

As is typical in early research into therapeutic interventions of disease, there are studies whose findings suggest a positive influence on the condition of the test subjects, while other studies have inconclusive findings/results.  The factors that influence findings are the methodology of the study (study design), the number of subjects, and the type of condition being investigated.  Depression is a condition that is mostly diagnosed with observation and questionnaires rather than instrument readings, so there is a significant amount of subjectivity involved.  The early findings of the effects of pulsed EMF on depression warrant further investigation.  The fact that positive effects of Pulsed EMF on patients experiencing depression have been demonstrated in studies such as these, combined with the safety record of pulsed EMF supports its use in treating depression, in the clinical setting and even the home care setting.

One of the Pulsed EMF devices designed for the head and brain is the Diamag Trans-Cranial Magnetotherapy device. 

• May improve sleep
• Relieves pain in some patients with migraine headaches
• May be helpful during the acute and subacute period of stroke (CVA)
• May be helpful in alleviating the effects of Parkinson’s disease
• May stabilize vision in patients with chronic iridocyclitis (iris inflammation)

It is advised to do personal research on pulsed EMF for depression and related conditions, and consult with your doctor before purchasing one as there are some medical contraindications to their use.