Human exposure to a specific pulsed magnetic field: effects on thermal sensory and pain thresholds.
Exposure to pulsed magnetic fields (MF) has been shown to have a therapeutic benefit in both animals (e.g. mice, snails) and humans. The current study investigated the potential analgesic benefit of MF exposure on sensory and pain thresholds following experimentally induced warm and hot sensations. Thirty-nine subjects (Study 1) and 31 subjects (Study 2) were randomly and double-blindly assigned to 30 min of MF or sham exposure between two sets of tests of sensory and pain thresholds and latencies at, 1 degrees C above, and 2 degrees C above pain thresholds. Results indicated that MF exposure does not affect sensory thresholds [e.g. [F(1,31) = 0.073, NS]. Pain thresholds were significantly increased following MF exposure [F(1,6) = 9.45, P < 0.01] but not following sham exposure [F (1,4) = 4.22, NS]. A significant condition by gender interaction existed for post-exposure pain thresholds [F(1,27) = 5.188, P < 0.05]. Taken together, these results indicate that MF exposure does not affect basic human perception, but can increase pain thresholds in a manner indicative of an analgesic response. The potential involvement of the placebo effect is discussed.
Shupak
Naomi M
NM
Department of Nuclear Medicine, St Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario, Canada.
Prato
Frank S
FS
Thomas
Alex W
AW
D000328:Adult; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000528:radiation effects; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome