Searching for the Mechanism of Action of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field—The Pilot fNIRS Research

Karolina Jezierska, Anna Sękowska-Namiotko, Bartłomiej Pala, Danuta Lietz-Kijak, Helena Gronwald and Wojciech Podraza
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Karolina Jezierska: Department of Medical Physics, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-073 Szczecin, Poland
Anna Sękowska-Namiotko: Department of Medical Physics, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-073 Szczecin, Poland
Bartłomiej Pala: Department of Medical Physics, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-073 Szczecin, Poland
Danuta Lietz-Kijak: Department of Propaedeutic, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
Helena Gronwald: Department of Propaedeutic, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
Wojciech Podraza: Department of Medical Physics, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-073 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-9

Abstract: There is an ongoing debate on the benefits of magnetic stimulation in neurological disorders. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the influence of magnetic stimulation on blood oxygenation of the motor cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteer participants were subjected to four protocols. In the first two protocols, the participants remained at rest without (and then with) magnetic stimulation. In the next two protocols, motor cortex stimulation was achieved using a finger-tapping task, with and without magnetic stimulation. Changes in blood oxygenation levels within the motor cortex were recorded and analysed. Results: No characteristic changes in the blood oxygenation level-dependent responses were observed in resting participants after magnetic stimulation. No statistically significant difference was observed in the amplitude of the fNIRS signal before and after magnetic stimulation. We observed characteristic blood oxygenation level-dependent responses after the finger-tapping task in the second protocol, but not after magnetic stimulation. Conclusions: Although we did not observe any measurable effect of the magnetic field on the haemodynamic response of the motor cortex, understanding the mechanism(s) of magnetic stimulation may be important. Additional, detailed studies are needed to prove or negate the potential of this medical procedure.

Keywords: magnetic stimulation physiotherapy; neurodegenerative disease; haemodynamic response; functional near-infrared spectroscopy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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