Evaluation of Radiofrequency Devices in Aesthetic Medicine: A Preliminary Report

Evaluation of Radiofrequency Devices in Aesthetic Medicine: A Preliminary Report In recent years, there has been an explosion of non-invasive devices to promote wrinkle, cellulite and fat reduction in patients who do not want invasive surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery in 2015 the annual number of minimal or non-invasive procedures has nearly tripled since 2000. In 2013, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported over 1.6 million liposuction procedures were performed globally. During that time, nearly 95,000 non-surgical fat reduction procedures and 294,000 non-surgical skin tightening procedures were done in the USA alone. Many studies are used to promote the sales of non-invasive devices, yet objective peer review studies are scarce. One of the more popular and growing uses of technology in aesthetic medicine is that of Radiofrequency (RF). The purpose of this study is to review the evolution of more commonly used radio frequency (RF) based devices. It also aims to generate a professional opinion on their use and efficacy. There are many benefits and challenges associated with the use of RF in aesthetic medicine. Hand piece size alongside treatment area, permeation of RF into the skin and consistency of results are all challenges. It seems evident that challenges associated with RF arching and temperature control have improved significantly in recent generations of technology. It is clear that the use of Radiofrequency in medicine for cosmetic purposes continues to evolve and is likely to stay. Starting with the introduction of mono-polar RF now to multi-polar and even micro needling with RF aesthetic medicine has progressed through a technological evolution. Over the last 15 years there have been five separate generations RF with the most recent developments occurring in 2016. All of these studies show improvement in wrinkle and fat reduction. However, long term data has not been established. Further studies are needed in that area. Thomas Narsete, Daniel S Narsete (2017) Evaluation of Radiofrequency Devices in Aesthetic Medicine: A Preliminary Report. J Dermatol & Ther 1:102. Source

Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field — A viable alternative therapy for arthritis

Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field — A viable alternative therapy for arthritis Arthritis refers to more than 100 disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The existing pharmacological interventions for arthritis offer only symptomatic relief and they are not definitive and curative. Magnetic healing has been known from antiquity and it is evolved to the present times with the advent of electromagnetism. The original basis for the trial of this form of therapy is the interaction between the biological systems with the natural magnetic fields. Optimization of the physical window comprising the electromagnetic field generator and signal properties (frequency, intensity, duration, waveform) with the biological window, inclusive of the experimental model, age and stimulus has helped in achieving consistent beneficial results. Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) can provide noninvasive, safe and easy to apply method to treat pain, inflammation and dysfunctions associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and PEMF has a long term record of safety. This review focusses on the therapeutic application of PEMF in the treatment of these forms of arthritis. The analysis of various studies (animal models of arthritis, cell culture systems and clinical trials) reporting the use of PEMF for arthritis cure has conclusively shown that PEMF not only alleviates the pain in the arthritis condition but it also affords chondroprotection, exerts antiinflammatory action and helps in bone remodeling and this could be developed as a viable alternative for arthritis therapy. Ganesan K, Gengadharan AC, Balachandran C, Manohar BM, Puvanakrishnan R. Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field–a viable alternative therapy for arthritis. Indian J Exp Biol. 2009 Dec;47(12):939-48. PMID: 20329696. Source

Modulation of long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity in the healthy brain with low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields

Modulation of long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity in the healthy brain with low frequency-pemf Non-depolarizing magnetic fields, like low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields (LF-PEMFs) have shown the ability to modulate living structures, principally by influencing synaptic activity and ion channels on cellular membranes. Recently, the CTU Mega 20 device was presented as a molecular accelerator, using energy up to 200 J and providing high-power (2 Tesla) pulsating fields with a water-repulsive (diamagnetic) action and tissue biostimulation. We tested the hypothesis that LF-PEMFs could modulate long-term corticospinal excitability in healthy brains by applying CTU Mega 20®. Ten healthy subjects without known neurological and/or psychiatric diseases entered the study. A randomized double-blind sham-controlled crossover design was employed, recording TMS parameters (amplitude variation of the motor evoked potential as index of cortical excitability perturbations of the motor system) before (pre) and after (post + 0, + 15, + 30 min) a single CTU Mega 20 session on the corresponding primary right-hand motor area, using a real (magnetic field = 2 Tesla; intensity = 90 J; impulse frequency = 7 Hz; duration = 15 min) or sham device. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA with TIME (pre, post + 0, + 15, + 30 min) and TREATMENT (real vs. sham stimulation) as within-subjects factor was applied. Conclusions. Our proof-of-concept study in healthy subjects supports the idea that non-ionizing LF-PEMFs induced by the CTU Mega 20 diamagnetic acceleration system could represent a new approach for brain neuromodulation. Further studies to optimize protocol parameters for different neurological and psychiatric conditions are warranted. Premi, E., Benussi, A., La Gatta, A. et al. Modulation of long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity in the healthy brain with low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields(pemf). BMC Neurosci 19, 34 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-018-0434-z Source  

Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment

Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment A small but significant number of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) result in development of persistent prolonged symptoms, including cognitive deficits, headaches, and mental fatigue. Such symptoms are called post-concussion syndrome (PCS), usually diagnosed according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD)-10 or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM)-IV. However, the concept of PCS as one unique syndrome is debated, and it remains unclear clear why and who develops PCS. The majority of studies use the term PCS to describe persistent concussion symptoms over 3 months following a non-penetrating direct or indirect blow to the head accompanied by loss of consciousness or alterations in mental state for <30 minutes. Current management of PCS consists of a multidisciplinary approach of pharmaceutical treatment, vestibular and vision rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy and physical therapy. A meta-analysis from 2018 of PCS intervention, however, found evidence of concussion treatment limited. Treatment with low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (PEMF) is a non-invasive, self-administered method best known from treatment of non-union long bone fractures where accelerated bone healing process has been well-established. Low-frequency electromagnetic field therapy has since evolved to include transcranial application based on in vitro and experimental in vivo findings of neuroprotective effects including cell proliferation and differentiation, enhanced neurite outgrowth, reduced apoptosis, increased angiogenesis, and increased microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation. Compliance was high as all subject completed the full treatment. Two patients however experienced a worsening of their concussion symptoms during the course of treatment. The remaining patients had some discomfort in relation to treatment, mainly headache, but passing and less for each treatment. The majority (n = 5) had a reduction in symptoms overall, up to 61% (2%-61%) based on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Further studies on T-PEMF as a treatment option for post-concussion syndrome are warranted. Miller CP, Prener M, Dissing S, Paulson OB. Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020;142:597–604. https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.13300 Source