title: Rapid mood-elevating effects of low field magnetic stimulation in depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously reported rapid mood elevation following an experimental magnetic resonance imaging procedure in depressed patients with bipolar disorder (BPD). This prompted the design, construction, and testing of a portable electromagnetic device that reproduces only the rapidly oscillating (1 kHz, <1 V/m) electromagnetic field of the experimental procedure, called low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a randomized, double blind, sham controlled treatment protocol to study the effects of LFMS in a large group of stably medicated, depressed patients with either BPD (n = 41) or major depressive disorder (n = 22). Subjects received a single, 20-minute treatment. Change in mood was assessed immediately afterward using a visual analog scale (VAS), the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Substantial improvement (>10% of baseline) in mood was observed following LFMS treatment relative to sham treatment for both diagnostic subgroups for our primary outcomes, the VAS and the HDRS-17. These differences were not statistically significant in primary analyses stratifying by diagnosis but were significant in secondary analyses combining data across the two diagnostic groups (p = .01 VAS, p = .02 HDRS-17). Rapid improvement in mood was also observed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scales as secondary measures (positive affect scale p = .02 BPD, p = .002 combined group). A finite element method calculation indicates a broad penetration of the LFMS electric field throughout the cerebral cortex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low field magnetic stimulation may produce rapid changes in mood using a previously unexplored range of electromagnetic fields.
authors: McLean Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts. Electronic address: mrohan@mclean.harvard.edu.
authors: Michael L
authors: ML
authors: Rohan
authors: McLean Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts.
authors: Rinah T
authors: RT
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Departments of Neuroscience (Mind and Brain Institute), Psychiatry, and Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York.
authors: Caitlin T
authors: CT
authors: Ravichandran
authors: McLean Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts.
authors: Kenroy R
authors: KR
authors: Cayetano
authors: Departments of Neuroscience (Mind and Brain Institute), Psychiatry, and Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York.
authors: Oscar G
authors: OG
authors: Morales
authors: McLean Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts.
authors: David P
authors: DP
authors: Olson
authors: Departments of Neuroscience (Mind and Brain Institute), Psychiatry, and Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York.
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Vitaliano
authors: Departments of Neuroscience (Mind and Brain Institute), Psychiatry, and Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York.
authors: Steven M
authors: SM
authors: Paul
authors: Departments of Neuroscience (Mind and Brain Institute), Psychiatry, and Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York.
authors: Bruce M
authors: BM
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055909:Magnetic Field Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Bipolar depression; depression; electromagnetic field; field; rapid antidepressant; therapy