title: Efficacy and safety evaluation of systemic extremely low frequency magnetic fields used in the healing of diabetic foot ulcers--phase II data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cellular and animal models investigating extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) have reported promotion of leukocyte-endothelial interactions, angiogenesis, myofibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation, improvement of peripheral neuropathy and diabetic wound healing. In humans, it has also been reported that systemic exposure to ELF-MF stimulates peripheral blood mononuclear cells, promoting angiogenesis and healing of chronic leg ulcers. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of exposing different blood volumes to specific ELF-MFs (120 Hz sinusoidal waves of 0.4-0.9 mT RMS) to induce healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty six diabetic patients with non-responsive DFUs were divided into two exposure groups to receive treatment and record healing time. The forearm group, exposed to ELF-MF 2 h/day, twice weekly (3.6 l of blood/session); and the thorax group, exposed 25 min/day, 2 times/week (162.5 l of blood/session). Treatment period was 100 days or upon complete healing. Ulcer recurrences and adverse effects were investigated during short-term (<1 year) and long-term (3.4-7.8 years) follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean healing time was 61.48 ± 33.08 days in the forearm group and 62.56 ± 29.33 days for the thorax group. No adverse effects or ulcer recurrences in the original ulcer site were reported during treatment, the short-term follow-up period or the long-term follow-up period in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healing time was independent of the amount of blood exposed to ELF-MF used in this trial. ELF-MFs are effective and safe and could be applied to non-healing DFUs in conjunction with other preventive interventions to reduce DFUs complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico. Electronic address: lscanedo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cañedo-Dorantes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM), Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Soenksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Department of Emergency Services, Servicios de Salud de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Daphny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trejo-Núñez
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine Medical Services of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pérez-Chávez
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Services, Servicios de Salud de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; Department of Angiology, Regional General Hospital No. 1, IMSS, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Melisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardona-Vicario
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Lara
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Dianelly
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collí-Magaña
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioelectronics, Mexican Society of Bioelectromagnetism, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serrano-Luna
authors.affiliation: Department of Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: José S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Angeles Chimal
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology, Regional General Hospital No. 1, IMSS, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cabrera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014456:Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Diabetes; Magnetic Therapy; Ulcer; Wound Healing