Background: The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is involved in the response to various emotional stimuli like anxiety, stress, and the sense of wellbeing. As a control system the ANS plays a variety of roles in humans, including regulation of the cardiac function, which can be studied by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV). HRV coherence has been associated with a sense of wellbeing, along with enhanced cognitive, social, and physical performance. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are used in a variety of clinical areas, however very little is known to date about the functional mechanisms involved in vivo. An interaction with the ANS is one of the possible ways in which the effects of ELF-EMF therapy are modulated in living systems. In this single-blind study the effects on the ANS of 5 different electromagnetic configurations were analysed by measuring the HRV using a HeartMath® EmWave® Pro device. Materials and methods: 46 healthy subjects of 20 to 30 years in age were recruited and divided into two groups (treatment group µ and control group λ). After measuring the baseline HRV coherence state (ω) the subjects in group µ were assessed during administration of 5 different ELF-EMF configurations from a SEQEX® device, all at the same intensity of 20 μT (the name attributed to the configuration is in brackets) for a duration of 3 min. each: 1-3 Hz (δ), 4-8 Hz (θ), 9-13 Hz (α), 15-29 Hz (β), and 31-56 Hz (γ). The subjects in group λ were measured in the same way and the same number of times. Results: The initial coherence values ω were comparable between the two groups (µ: 36%, λ: 36.39%). Under the 1-3 Hz (δ) and 15-29 Hz (β) treatment configurations, group µ had an average HRV coherence of 46.26% and 47.26% respectively, while group λ had 38.13% and 37.39% respectively, representing a significant increase in HRV coherence under treatment (p δ = 0.035 and p β = 0.046). Conclusions: The ANS appears to be sensitive in a frequency dependent manner to treatment with ELF-EMF. This is very important, if confirmed in further studies, not only for better understanding the mechanism of action of ELF-EMF on complex biological systems, but more importantly for therapeutic purposes under different levels of psychopathological discomfort like stress and anxiety, as well as for modulating perceived pain and organ dysregulation.
Introduction: The central nervous system (CNS) is known to be sensitive to focused magnetic stimulation, which is now used routinely for the treatment of various disorders. Extremely Low Frequency Electro Magnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) have been used in various clinical settings and tests however, to date, little is known regarding their functional mechanisms in vivo and, in particular, as a total-body non-focused administration. The CNS acts as the first interactive organ, capable of modulating the effects of ELF-EMF treatment on living systems. This study analysed the effects of 5 different electromagnetic frequency-ranges on the CNS, by studying the endogenous response to exposure. Spectrometry was used to measure the strength of different cerebral wavebands in various brain topographies, together with a component of Z-ratio, as a comparative reference system.Materials and methods: 21 healthy subjects between 20 and 30 years of age were recruited and assessed on two different sessions, one sham day and one treatment day. The subjects were assessed during administration of 5 different ELF-EMF set-ups, using a SEQEX® device, all exposed to the same intensity of 20 μT (microtesla), with a protocol duration of 3 minutes, each using a Swipe method, with a progressive increase of 0.1 Hz. The setup range was devised as follows:• 1-3 Hz (δ) • 4-8 Hz (θ) • 9-13 Hz (α) • 15-29 Hz (β) • 31-56 Hz (γ) A 14 channel EEG device was used to measure the cortical responses of the 21 subjects during stimulation. Results:The response to the different electromagnetic stimulation set-ups varied, with activation of different brain derivations observed in EEG. In general, response was greater under stimulation within the δ range at 1-3 Hz, with a widespread increase in the band strength β (p < 0.05) and a ubiquitous decrease in the Z-Ratio (p < 0.05). Responses were minimal under stimulation in the γ range at 31-56 Hz, with a limited reaction in terms of activated areas and band strength, in any case coherent with the γ range, particularly in the right hemisphere (p < 0.01). Contrary to expectations, no significant increase was observed in the α band. Conclusions:The electrical activity of the CNS exhibits frequency dependent sensitivity to treatment with ELF-EMF. This observation, if confirmed in further studies and relevant for two main reasons: Firstly, it offers insight for an improved understanding of the mechanisms of action of ELF-EMF on complex biological systems from the perspective of preventing disorders caused by electromagnetic pollution. Secondly it creates several implications for possible integration into existing neurological and psychiatric therapeutic approaches [1].
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