Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Limited treatment options exist for persistent symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury.
• Transcranial pulsating low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation (T-PEMF) has demonstrated neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in other patient groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and tolerability of T-PEMF for treating post-concussion syndrome.
• To explore T-PEMF as a potential therapeutic intervention for long-lasting concussion symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving seven patients diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.
• Daily 30-minute T-PEMF treatments were administered over five weeks.
• Patient evaluations were conducted at two and five weeks, and three months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• High compliance was observed, with all participants completing the full treatment protocol.
• Five out of seven patients experienced an overall reduction in post-concussion symptoms, with improvements ranging from 2% to 61%.
• Two patients reported a worsening of symptoms, and most experienced transient discomfort, primarily headaches, which decreased with continued treatment.

Conclusions:

• T-PEMF appears to be a feasible and generally tolerable treatment for post-concussion syndrome.
• The observed symptom reduction in the majority of patients suggests T-PEMF warrants further investigation.
• Additional research is recommended to confirm the efficacy and optimize T-PEMF protocols for post-concussion syndrome.