Weak field transcerebral pulsed electromagnetic fields in health care

Neuropathic pain and major depressive disorder are two disorders that affect a large proportion of the population and that lead to vast losses of well being, productivity and money. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been applied in both conditions, with encouraging results. Here we describe experimental treatment of these conditions with weak field transcerebral pulsed electromagnetic fields. Experimentel heat pain could be reduced with our stimulation, but this effect did not generalize to the capsaicin pain model in healthy volunteers. Studies in neuropathic pain patients have just finished data acquisition and studies in depressed patients are ongoing. We conclude that this type of weak field transcerebral pulsed electromagnetic stimulation deserves serious consideration in health care.