Effects of ELF-EMF Treatment on Depression

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is an extremely widespread disorder that is also highly impactful on the quality of life and general health of individuals, on a global scale. The aim of this study was a preliminary assessment of a potential non-pharmacological treatment, based on extremely low frequency and intensity electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), which could potentially reduce the impact of depression on the lives of sufferers. Materials and methods: A preliminary case-control study based in 2centres was conducted during the second half of 2020. The recruited participants were subject either to ELF-EMF treatment (Group α) or to a placebo treatment (Group β) for a total of 5 sessions. Treatment involved non-focused exposure using a radiant mat associated with focused exposure in the cranial area using the same ELF-EMF parameters. Each individual session lasted 36 min and the same ELF-EMF program was used for all 5 therapeutic sessions. The effects of treatment were evaluated by giving the subjects the following self-administration tests: Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI), and Short-Form 12 (SF12). The tests were administered before starting the treatment cycle (T0), after the 5 sessions (T1), and at a 2 month follow-up (FU). Results: Statistical significance indicating an improvement in the depressed state perceived by the participants was achieved with both the SDS and the BDI, at T1 (T1: SDSα 37.8, SDSβ 46.6, p = 0.012; BDIα 8.7, BDIβ 20.4, p = 0.004) and persisting at FU (T1: SDSα 39.1, SDSβ 49, p = 0.037; BDIα 10, BDIβ 19.9, p = 0.04). As regards SF12, the mental part of the test (MCS12) exhibited a significant improvement at T1in the treated group compared to the placebo (MCS12α 47.40, MCS12β 40.48, p = 0.048), but this was not confirmed at FU. During the treatment period there were no drop-outs from the 2 groups and no adverse events were reported in the treatment group. Conclusions: Treatment with ELF-EMF demonstrated safety and efficacy for reducing the gravity of perceived depressed state. Check for updates It is known that depression involves an alteration in serotonin metabolism (5-HT) and of the serotoninergic circuits [6-8]. Recent observations have demonstrated how these alterations are strongly linked to inflammation [9], thus defining depression as a systemic disorder. Citation: Carioni G, Greco A (2022) Effects of ELF-EMF Treatment on Depression. J Depress Anxiety Disord 4(1):115-120 Carioni G, et al. J Depress Anxiety Disord 2022, 4(1):115-120 Open Access | Page 116 | two indices are the PCS (Physical Component Summary) for physical state, and the MCS (Mental Component Summary) for mental state. The main strong points of this questionnaire are its conciseness and relative ease of use. SEQEX devices This study involved the use of a SEQEX® device, produced and distributed by the Italian company S.I.S.S.T.E.M.I. Srl (Trento, Italy), certified CSQ ISO-13485. This device implements an analogue mechanism to generate complex electromagnetic fields in a frequency range from 1 to 124 Hz, of variable intensity from 1 to 20 μT. The field parameters are tested by the manufacturing company using specialized instrumentation: A GM08 Gauss meter produced by the company Hirst. The electromagnetic fields produced by the control unit of the treatment device (on which the electromagnetic field parameters are set) are administered from a mat containing Helmholtz coils that generate the ELF-EMF. Patients lie on the mat and receive non-focused total-body treatment with weak electromagnetic fields. This study made use of two device variants, one fully functional and the other modified so that no form of electromagnetic field was emitted. One device was located in each of the two centres taking part in the study (Table 1). “Time on” represents the period in seconds during which the device effectively emits ELF-EMF. “Time off” represents the period in seconds during which the device does not emit anything. During each step time (indicated as “Total time”) the ELF-EMF is administered following the time on/time off cycle. The ELF-EMF as described in the table was administered to patients simultaneously in two different ways: Using a radiant mat for non-focused total-body treatment, and using a band accessory positioned on each patient's cranium.