Magnetic therapy remained an alternative or complimentary therapeutic system for over 2000 years. Methods such as cardioversion, electro-convulsive therapy and analgesia are popularly practised in mainline medicine. Magnetic disks and bandages used in sports and veterinary medicine resemble ancient magnetic rings. Two principle types of magnetic therapy include static and pulsating magnetic therapy.

Low strength static magnetic devices are used to provide pain relief. These are also used for reducing swelling, induction of more restful sleep, stress relief and for anti-infective properties. However, the speculated mechanism of “static magnetic field affects blood circulation” is open to criticism.

According to authentic scientific studies, pulsating magnetic therapy is quite useful in reducing osteoarthritis joint pain, chronic pelvic pain, chronic neck pain, myofascial pain and for treating urinary incontinence in females.

Another most advanced treatment includes magnetic fluid hyperthermic (MFH) or nano cancer therapy.

Most recent scientific studies provide evidence for increased amounts of chemicals such as endogenous beta-endorphin, substance P, and 5-HT due to the application of pulsating magnetic field.

Precautions

The following precautions must be followed before undergoing magnetic therapy for pain:

• Must be avoided if your body contains implanted medical devices such as pacemaker, defibrillator, insulin pump or liver infusion pump.
• It is observed that in some patients magnets may lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and may delay the wound healing process. Some times it may even lead to bleeding.
• It is best avoided in patients suffering from myasthenia gravis or bleeding disorders and in women during pregnancy.

One Final Advice

Magnetic therapy shall not be used indiscriminately without proper medical supervision.It is just a substitute therapy which needs to be administered along with other standard therapies. Take the advice of your doctor or therapist before using it.

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Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Biomarkers in Neonatal Encephalopathy: A Meta-analysis

a University College London Institute of Women's Health, London, UK;
b Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, England;
c Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, England;
d Department of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, England;
e Department of Statistical Science, University College London, Biomedical Research Unit, London, England;
f Biostatistics Group, UCLH/UCL Biomedical Research Unit, University College London, London, England

OBJECTIVE Accurate prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome in neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is important for clinical management and to evaluate neuroprotective therapies. We undertook a meta-analysis of the prognostic accuracy of cerebral magnetic resonance (MR) biomarkers in infants with neonatal encephalopathy.

METHODS We reviewed all studies that compared an MR biomarker performed during the neonatal period with neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year. We followed standard methods recommended by the Cochrane Diagnostic Accuracy Method group and used a random-effects model for meta-analysis. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves and forest plots of each MR biomarker were calculated. 2 tests examined heterogeneity.

RESULTS Thirty-two studies (860 infants with NE) were included in the meta-analysis. For predicting adverse outcome, conventional MRI during the neonatal period (days 1–30) had a pooled sensitivity of 91% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87%–94%) and specificity of 51% (95% CI: 45%–58%). Late MRI (days 8–30) had higher sensitivity but lower specificity than early MRI (days 1–7). Proton MR spectroscopy deep gray matter lactate/N-acetyl aspartate (Lac/NAA) peak-area ratio (days 1–30) had 82% overall pooled sensitivity (95% CI: 74%–89%) and 95% specificity (95% CI: 88%–99%). On common study analysis, Lac/NAA had better diagnostic accuracy than conventional MRI performed at any time during neonatal period. The discriminatory powers of the posterior limb of internal capsule sign and brain-water apparent diffusion coefficient were poor.

CONCLUSIONS Deep gray matter Lac/NAA is the most accurate quantitative MR biomarker within the neonatal period for prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome after NE. Lac/NAA may be useful in early clinical management decisions and counseling parents and as a surrogate end point in clinical trials that evaluate novel neuroprotective therapies.

Key Words: sensitivity • specificity • meta-analysis • hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy • magnetic resonance imaging • magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abbreviations: NE = neonatal encephalopathy • MR = magnetic resonance • ADC = apparent diffusion coefficient • MRS = magnetic resonance spectroscopy • LR = likelihood ratio • CI = confidence interval • AUC = area under curve • DOR = diagnostic odds ratio • ESS = effective sample size • Lac/NAA = lactate/N-acetyl aspartate • PLIC = posterior limb of internal capsule

Accepted Aug 7, 2009.

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