Role of Low Frequency Picotesla Magnetic Field in Control of Seizures
Abstract number :
3.147
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
2815
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
I.A. Khatri, MD, Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK; G. Kariampuzha, MD, Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK; K.J. Oommen, MD, Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Scienc
RATIONALE: The clinical use of low frequency picotesla magnetic field has been reported to improve the seizure control in patients with partial epilepsy. A prior study of five patients in our center showed decrease in seizure frequency with this treatment.
METHODS: Nine patients with medically intractable partial epilepsy were enrolled in this non-randomized double blind study. A Helmholtz magnetic coil was used which produced the magnetic field strength between 10-11 and 10-13 gauss at a frequency of less than 300 Hz. The study was completed in two phases. In the first phase of 8 weeks, patients received either magnetic field treatment or sham treatment for 40 minutes twice a week. In the second phase of eight weeks, the order was reversed for the magnetic field treatment and sham treatment. The investigators and the patients were blinded to the type of treatment. Antiepileptic medications and dosages were maintained before and during the study period. Each patient kept a calendar of frequency of his different types of seizures.
RESULTS: 1. Overall 2/9(22.22%) patients had [gt] 50% improvement in their seizure control, 2/9 (22.22%) patients had [gt] 50% worsening and 5/9 (55.55%) had [lt] 50% change.
2. For simple partial seizures, 4/9 (44.44%) patients showed [gt] 50% improvement, 2/9 (22.22%) patients showed [gt] 50% worsening, and 3/9 (33.33%) showed [lt] 50% change.
3. For complex partial seizures, 2/9 (22.22%) patients, showed [gt] 50 % improvement, 3/9 (33.33%) showed [gt] 50% worsening and 4/9 (44.44%) showed [lt]50% change.
4. For generalized tonic clonic seizures, 3/9 (33.33%) patients showed [gt] 50% improvement, 4/9 (44.44%) showed [gt] 50% worsening, 2/9 (22.22%) patients showed [lt]50% change.
CONCLUSIONS: In our study, low frequency picotesla magnetic field failed to show any significant benefit in the control of seizures in patients with partial epilepsy. Larger studies with reproducible data are needed before this modality can be accepted as useful treatment for seizure control.