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Headache Treatment with Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields: A Literature Review

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback volume 32, pages 191–207 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy may be a viable form of complementary and alternative medicine. Clinical applications include the treatment of fractures, wounds, and heart disease. More recent applications involve treatment of recurrent headache disorders. This paper reviews available studies investigating PEMF for headache management. Possible mechanisms for effects (neurochemical, electrophysical, and cardiovascular) are discussed. The available data suggest that PEMF treatment for headache merits further study. Suggestions for future research are provided.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the UWF Office of Sponsored Research for funding that helped make this review project possible and Ms. Sabina Kraewicz for her invaluable assistance with language translation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5010, USA

    Wilson Vincent

  2. Department of Psychology, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL, 32514, USA

    Frank Andrasik

  3. Behavioral Medicine Research and Training Foundation, Port Angeles, WA, USA

    Richard Sherman

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  1. Wilson Vincent
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  2. Frank Andrasik
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Correspondence to Frank Andrasik.

 

 

Appendix A Table of studies exemplifying the variety of clinical applications of PEMF therapy
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Vincent, W., Andrasik, F. & Sherman, R. Headache Treatment with Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields: A Literature Review. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 32, 191–207 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-007-9045-7

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Keywords

  • Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
  • Headache
  • Pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs)