Title | Rapid mood-elevating effects of low field magnetic stimulation in depression. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Rohan ML, Yamamoto RT, Ravichandran CT, Cayetano KR, Morales OG, Olson DP, Vitaliano G, Paul SM, Cohen BM |
Journal | Biol Psychiatry |
Volume | 76 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 186-93 |
Date Published | 2014 Aug 1 |
ISSN | 1873-2402 |
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. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.10.024 |
Alternate Journal | Biol. Psychiatry |
PubMed ID | 24331545 |
Grant List | T32 DA015036 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States |