High-intensity Magnetic Stimulation Research Articles

Efficacy of pulsed magnetic therapy, high-intensity magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles and intrauterine plasma therapy to restore endometrial receptivity after intrauterine interventions: a randomized trial

Surgical interventions on the pelvic organs lead to damage to the basal layer of the endometrium, which disrupts embryo implantation. Restoring endometrial receptivity helps improve fertility. Purpose of the study. Evaluation of the effectiveness of non-drug methods for restoring endometrial receptivity after intrauterine interventions in women of reproductive age. Material and methods. The prospective randomized study included 120 patients aged 18–45 years who had undergone intrauterine surgery and were planning pregnancy. The patients were divided into three equal groups: group 1 — 40 patients who received combined pulsed magnetic therapy and intrauterine plasma therapy of the endometrium; group 2 — 40 patients who underwent high-intensity magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles and intrauterine plasma therapy of the endometrium; group 3 — 40 patients who underwent pulsed magnetic therapy. Anamnesis data, as well as clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data of the patients were analyzed, an ultrasound assessment of endometrial thickness and blood flow velocity in the uterine arteries was performed, and the pregnancy rate was assessed 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. Results. The probability of pregnancy in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 3 (p = 0.014), but it did not reach statistically significant differences from the first group. The treatment method in group 2 increased the likelihood of pregnancy most effectively (by 70 %) (risk ratio 2.37 (95 % confidence interval 1.10–5.11), p = 0.027). Taking vitamins increased the chance of getting pregnant by 72 %, absence of chronic diseases — by 81 %, younger age — by 49 %, and normal body mass index — by 48 %. Based on the data obtained, the predictors of a favorable treatment outcome and a high probability of pregnancy are as follows: endometrial thickness more than 7.5 mm after 1 month, more than 9.5 mm after 2 months, more than 10.5 mm after 3 months; blood flow velocity more than 11.5 mm/s after 2 months and more than 13.5 mm after 3 months. Conclusion. The highest probability of restoration of endometrial receptivity after intrauterine interventions and pregnancy occurs when using a rehabilitation complex, including the combined use of high-intensity magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles and intrauterine plasma therapy. Predictors of a favorable outcome of treatment and pregnancy are the thickness of the endometrium and the blood flow velocity in the uterine arteries during the course of therapy.

Interdisciplinary consensus on the use of high-intensity magnetic stimulation in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction manifested by anal incontinence

This paper presents interdisciplinary consensus on the use of protocols of high-intensity magnetic stimulation for the treatment of pelvic floor muscles dysfunction with anal incontinence in Russia.AIM: to highlight the discussion and the decision-making on the basis of an interdisciplinary consensus on the use of a new algorithm of peripheral and transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of pelvic floor muscles dysfunction with the clinic of anal incontinence.RESULTS: the adoption of this consensus can serve as a basis for further research of this problem and optimize the results of treatment of patients with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction with anal incontinence. The data may be interesting for a wide range of medical specialists: general practitioners, gastroenterologists, coloproctologists, surgeons, neurosurgeons, gynecologists, urologists — anyone who encounter with manifestations of this disorder in a routine practice and chooses diagnostic and treatment options.CONCLUSION: protocols for the treatment of anal incontinence using high-intensity magnetic stimulation aimed at improving the quality of treatment of patients with anal incontinence are based on the Russian experience of using the methods discussed and the analysis of the results obtained are validated.

Experience in the Use of Physical Factors in the Rehabilitation of Patients after Pneumonia Associated with COVID-19

To date, a new coronavirus disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (also known as COVID-19) has become a serious public health problem worldwide. Unfortunately, there are no specific drugs for the treatment of this infection until now. It is known that COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus, which mainly affects the cells of the respiratory and digestive systems. There are scientific data on the effectiveness of a number of physiotherapy methods for a new coronavirus infection, which justifies their inclusion in the complex rehabilitation within the in-patient stage. Aim. This work aimed at the scientific justification of the physical factors use in the rehabilitation programs of patients after pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Material and methods. 60 patients (40 women and 20 men) who had suffered from COVID-19 pneumonia were examined. The time from the onset of the disease was on average 2 months. The study involved patients with mild and moderate pneumonia. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group (30 patients) received low-intensity magnetic therapy for the chest area, infrared laser therapy for the lung roots, chest massage, therapeutic gymnastics and a course of hyperbaric oxygenation. The second group (30 patients) received high-intensity magnetic stimulation of the respiratory muscles, infrared laser therapy on the lung roots, chest massage, therapeutic gymnastics and a course of hyperbaric oxygenation. Results. As a result of the conducted rehabilitation programs, there was an improvement in the well-being of patients in both groups.There was a decrease in shortness of breath, an increase in physical activity, a decrease and disappearance of pain in the chest area. This was confirmed by a significant reliable dynamics of the 6-minute walk test and the laser Doppler flowmetry parameters and spirometry. Positive dynamics in the C — reactive protein parameter and a tendency to improve the D –dimer parameter were revealed. The changes in the studied parameters were more significant in patients of the second group. Conclusion. Thus, analyzing the results obtained, it can be argued that the developed comprehensive treatment programs for patients who have suffered pneumonia associated with COVID-19 lead to clinical improvement in this category of patients. However, more significant changes in the studied parameters were noted in the group of patients that received a comprehensive program that included a high-intensity electromagnetic field.

Abdominal body shaping using StarFormer high-intensity magnetic stimulation-A case series.

BackgroundMagnetic stimulation of muscles has become a popular method for muscle toning and strengthening.AimsThe aim of this case series was to investigate safety and effectiveness of a novel magnetic stimulation device.MethodsThe patients received 10 sessions of high‐intensity magnetic stimulation of their abdominal muscles. Change in muscle tone was determined by anonymous evaluation of photographs and using patient satisfaction questionnaires before treatment and 10 weeks following the last treatment session. Weight and waist circumference were also measured before treatment and at the 10‐week follow‐up.ResultsBlinded evaluation of photographs has shown improvement of the appearance of abdominal muscles. Patient satisfaction was high. The patients also experienced a reduction in their waist circumference, while their weight did not significantly change.ConclusionsThe treatment using the StarFormer® high‐intensity magnetic stimulation is an effective and noninvasive method for abdominal body shaping, which is safe and comfortable to the patients and results in high patient satisfaction and an objective improvement in abdominal body shape appearance.

Comparison of Prolactin and Cortisol Response to Magnetic Seizure Therapy and Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and magnetic seizure therapy (MST) induce therapeutic seizures by delivering current to the brain via scalp electrodes or high-intensity magnetic stimulation, respectively. The induced electric field and the subsequent seizure differ between ECT and MST. We measured peri-treatment serum prolactin and cortisol levels as indicators of the degree of seizure spread induced by the two modalities.

Glutamate-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening: Implications for Neuroprotection and Drug Delivery

The blood-brain barrier is a highly selective anatomical and functional interface allowing a unique environment for neuro-glia networks. Blood-brain barrier dysfunction is common in most brain disorders and is associated with disease course and delayed complications. However, the mechanisms underlying blood-brain barrier opening are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate the role of the neurotransmitter glutamate in modulating early barrier permeability in vivo Using intravital microscopy, we show that recurrent seizures and the associated excessive glutamate release lead to increased vascular permeability in the rat cerebral cortex, through activation of NMDA receptors. NMDA receptor antagonists reduce barrier permeability in the peri-ischemic brain, whereas neuronal activation using high-intensity magnetic stimulation increases barrier permeability and facilitates drug delivery. Finally, we conducted a double-blind clinical trial in patients with malignant glial tumors, using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to quantitatively assess blood-brain barrier permeability. We demonstrate the safety of stimulation that efficiently increased blood-brain barrier permeability in 10 of 15 patients with malignant glial tumors. We suggest a novel mechanism for the bidirectional modulation of brain vascular permeability toward increased drug delivery and prevention of delayed complications in brain disorders. In this study, we reveal a new mechanism that governs blood-brain barrier (BBB) function in the rat cerebral cortex, and, by using the discovered mechanism, we demonstrate bidirectional control over brain endothelial permeability. Obviously, the clinical potential of manipulating BBB permeability for neuroprotection and drug delivery is immense, as we show in preclinical and proof-of-concept clinical studies. This study addresses an unmet need to induce transient BBB opening for drug delivery in patients with malignant brain tumors and effectively facilitate BBB closure in neurological disorders.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) influences spatial cognition and modulates hippocampal structural synaptic plasticity in aging mice

Normal aging is characteristic with the gradual decline in cognitive function associated with the progressive reduction of structural and functional plasticity in the hippocampus. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has developed into a novel neurological and psychiatric tool that can be used to investigate the neurobiology of cognitive function. Recent studies have demonstrated that low-frequency rTMS (≤1Hz) affects synaptic plasticity in rats with vascular dementia (VaD), and it ameliorates the spatial cognitive ability in mice with Aβ1–42-mediated memory deficits, but there are little concerns about the effects of rTMS on normal aging related cognition and synaptic plasticity changes. Thus, the current study investigated the effects of rTMS on spatial memory behavior, neuron and synapse morphology in the hippocampus, and synaptic protein markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) in normal aging mice, to illustrate the mechanisms of rTMS in regulating cognitive capacity. Relative to adult animals, aging caused hippocampal-dependent cognitive impairment, simultaneously inhibited the activation of the BDNF–TrkB signaling pathway, reduced the transcription and expression of synaptic protein markers: synaptophysin (SYN), growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) and post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), as well as decreased synapse density and PSD (post-synaptic density) thickness. Interestingly, rTMS with low intensity (110% average resting motor threshold intensity, 1Hz, LIMS) triggered the activation of BDNF and TrkB, upregulated the level of synaptic protein markers, and increased synapse density and thickened PSD, and further reversed the spatial cognition dysfunction in aging mice. Conversely, high-intensity magnetic stimulation (150% average resting motor threshold intensity, 1Hz, HIMS) appeared to be detrimental, inducing thinning of PSDs, disordered synaptic structure, and a large number of lipofuscin accumulations, as well as reducing the number of synapses and downregulating BDNF–TrkB and synaptic proteins. Ultimately, HIMS further impaired the capacity for learning and memory. In conclusion, we infer that aging-induced cognitive deficits are closely associated with hippocampal structural synaptic plasticity, and low-frequency magnetic stimulation plays an important role in regulating cognitive behavior via changing structural synaptic plasticity, and BDNF signaling might participate in this event.

Magnetic stimulation modulates structural synaptic plasticity and regulates BDNF–TrkB signal pathway in cultured hippocampal neurons

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a neuropsychiatric tool that can be used to investigate the neurobiology of learning and cognitive function. Few studies have examined the effects of low frequency (⩽1Hz) magnetic stimulation (MS) on structural synaptic plasticity of neurons in vitro, thus, the current study examined its effects on hippocampal neuron and synapse morphology, as well as synaptic protein markers and signaling pathways. Similarly, both intensities of low frequency magnetic stimulation (1Hz) activated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) pathways, including the pathways for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt). Specifically, low intensity magnetic stimulation (LIMS, 1.14Tesla, 1Hz) promoted more extensive dendritic and axonal arborization, as well as increasing synapses density, thickening PSD (post synaptic density) and upregulation of synaptophysin (SYN), growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) and post synaptic density 95 (PSD95). Conversely, high intensity magnetic stimulation (HIMS, 1.55Tesla, 1Hz) appeared to be detrimental, reducing dendritic and axonal arborization and causing apparent structural damage, including thinning of PSD, less synapses and disordered synaptic structure, as well as upregulation of GAP43 and PSD95, possibly for their ability to mitigate dysfunction. In conclusion, we infers that low frequency magnetic stimulation participates in regulating structural synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons via the activation of BDNF–TrkB signaling pathways.

Effects of pulsed magnetic stimulation of GFAP levels in cultured astrocytes.

The present study evaluates the physiological effects of magnetic stimulation on astrocyte cultures. Cell cultures were exposed to pulsed magnetic stimulation (10 Hz, 10 sec) at the following levels: 0.10 tesla (T; Group A); 0.21 T (Group B); 0.42 T (Group C); and 0.63 T (Group D). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels from immunoblots, total protein concentrations, and cellular morphology were analyzed at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 13, and 20 days poststimulation. Significantly higher GFAP levels were observed in Group D at day 3 (P = 0.0114). The change was transient as the GFAP levels quickly returned to control levels by day 5. No other significant changes in GFAP levels were observed. In comparison to control protein levels at day 0, concentrations from Groups B, C, and D were significantly lower (P < 0.006), whereas at day 3, Groups C and D were significantly higher (P < 0.02). Differences in astrocyte morphology due to magnetic stimulation were not observed. This study demonstrated that high intensity magnetic stimulation for only 10 sec induced a transient biological response.

Cortical mechanisms mediating the inhibitory period after magnetic stimulation of the facial motor area.

We studied the silent period (SP) that interrupts voluntary electromyographic activity (EMG) in facial muscles, after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in normal subjects. High-intensity magnetic stimulation with a 12-cm round coil centered at the vertex induced a long-lasting SP (215 ms), whereas supramaximal stimulation of the facial nerve only induced a short (< 20 ms) and incomplete EMG suppression, and cutaneous stimuli had no inhibitory effect at all. Cutaneous trigeminal stimulation delivered after TMS evoked blink-like reflexes, showing that facial motoneurons were not inhibited during the SP. Simultaneous recordings from perioral muscles (large cortical representation) and from orbicularis oculi and masseter muscles (small cortical representation) showed SPs of identical duration. Focal stimuli with a figure-of-eight coil showed that positioning of the coil was critical and that the optimal scalp sites for evoking the largest motor potentials and longest SPs coincided. Low-intensity stimulation occasionally elicited short SPs without a preceding motor potential. We conclude that the SP induced in facial muscles by TMS results from the excitation of cortical inhibitory interneurons surrounding the upper motoneurons.

Origin of muscle action potentials evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation in cats

We studied the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on ipsilateral and contralateral forelimb extensor muscles in anesthetized cats. A magnetic stimulator, operating at 100% intensity, was used through a circular coil, which was placed tangentially over the midline scalp. Bilateral activation of extensor muscles was readily obtained in all animals. The onset latencies were 7.3 +/- 1.1 and 7.07 +/- 0.8 msec for the contralateral and ipsilateral muscles, respectively. The amplitude of muscle response was unstable in magnitude, nevertheless, it did not show any significant difference between the two sides. The latency of response for ipsilateral and contralateral muscles was similar, which suggests simultaneous activation of motor pathways servicing forelimb muscles. Lesioning or ablation of the motor cortex and decerebration at mid-colliculi level did not abolish the evoked responses elicited at high intensity magnetic stimulation. Stereotactic electrical stimulation of the vestibular nuclei complex was performed, and satisfactory ipsilateral motor responses were obtained. Subsequently, a stereotactic radiofrequency lesion was made at the vestibular nuclei complex, with morphological confirmation. After this lesion, the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were significantly diminished in amplitude. This finding strongly suggests that the generator of the MEPs resides in the brainstem, mainly at the vestibular nuclei complex.