Electromagnetic Field Stimulation Attenuates Phasic Nociception after Complete Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Brain Sci., 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11111431 · Published: October 28, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition with limited curative treatments. This study explores the use of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field stimulation (EMF) as a potential therapy to alleviate pain and sensorimotor deficits associated with complete SCI in rats. The study found that EMF stimulation significantly reduced hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) and allodynia (pain from non-painful stimuli) in rats with SCI. The EMF stimulation also helped in the restoration of spinal reflexes. Additionally, EMF stimulation attenuated the elevated levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with excitotoxicity, at the site of injury. Histological analysis revealed a decrease in lesion volume and glial cell population in EMF-stimulated rats.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

Adult male Wistar rats (200–250 g, n = 55)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
EMF stimulation significantly attenuated hyperalgesia and allodynia to thermal, electrical, and chemical stimuli from 6 weeks onwards in rats with complete SCI.
2
EMF stimulation restored spinal reflexes, including the H-reflex and nociceptive flexion reflex, at the study endpoint (week 8).
3
EMF stimulation attenuated the increase in glutamate levels at the SCI injury site.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of whole-body extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulation on nociception and sensorimotor deficits in rats with complete thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that EMF stimulation significantly attenuated hyperalgesia and allodynia to various stimuli, restored spinal reflexes, reduced glutamate levels at the injury site, and decreased lesion volume and glial population in the spinal cord. These findings suggest that EMF stimulation has a beneficial role in the rehabilitation of rats after complete SCI, potentially serving as a patient-friendly therapeutic tool.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

EMF stimulation could be a non-invasive and patient-friendly rehabilitation tool for SCI patients.

Neuroprotection

EMF stimulation may offer neuroprotective benefits by reducing glutamate excitotoxicity and inflammation at the injury site.

Improved Sensory Function

EMF stimulation can improve sensory function by attenuating hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of EMF stimulation.
3
The long-term effects of EMF stimulation on SCI recovery were not assessed in this study.

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