Each year, approximately 795,000 people are impacted by stroke, according to the Stroke Foundation, which calls stroke the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Stroke occurs either when blood flow to the brain is blocked (ischemic) or something causes bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic).
Stroke most often impacts the older population; only about one-quarter of strokes occur in those under 65. There are many risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes, heart disease, genetics, weight and activity level, and some medications. Ischemic strokes are most often caused by plaque buildup or dislodged plaque coming from other vessels below the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are most commonly caused by anticoagulants, including aspirin and ibuprofen.
The impact of stroke can be mild or seriously debilitating. Speech, vision, mobility, mood and cognitive function can all be impaired after stroke.
A growing body of research has looked at TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation, strong magnetic pulses applied to the brain in a clinic) in stroke rehabilitation, and a smaller number of studies have looked at lower-intensity PEMF.
Neuroplasticity and PEMF
Improving neuroplasticity, the nervous system’s ability to change brain function in response to extrinsic or intrinsic stimuli, is critical in stroke rehabilitation. Improved neuroplasticity has a positive impact on memory, thinking, mobility and speech impairments that are a result of stroke.
A randomized trial published in 20121 concluded that low-frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) improved neuroplasticity as well as rebalancing motor capabilities in people with chronic stroke. A 2018 study in Poland found that post-stroke patients who received extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field stimulation during rehabilitation had higher blood levels of growth factors linked to neuroplasticity.2
Research on Magnetic Stimulation After Stroke
Research on magnetic stimulation after stroke has been going on for several decades, and it has grown quickly in the last ten years. Studies, most of them using TMS, have looked at balance and movement, aphasia, depression, and cognitive function after stroke. Other studies have looked at PEMF and blood pressure and nitric oxide levels in people with metabolic syndrome3, and at blood flow and tissue oxygenation in the rat brain4.
Earlier research on rTMS in stroke patients focused on short-term impacts, but newer research has also looked at longer-term effects. One study conducted in 20095 placed 48 patients with acute ischemic stroke into three groups. Two groups received actual TMS (3Hz and 10Hz) over the motor cortex of the affected brain hemisphere daily for five consecutive days, while the third group received sham stimulation. The TMS groups showed greater improvement in functioning than the sham group, and the difference was still evident at the one year follow-up.
Stroke rehabilitation can be a long, arduous process, and it should be guided by your stroke care team. If you’ve had a stroke, talk to them before adding PEMF to your routine.
How FlexPulse differs from the devices in these studies
The TMS used in most of this research is applied to the brain in a clinic, at high intensities for short periods of time. FlexPulse is a much lower-intensity, wearable PEMF device, and it has not been studied in people after a stroke.
A portable PEMF device can be used at home or on the go, at your own convenience, for extended periods of time.
FlexPulse, the world’s most powerful and versatile battery operated wearable PEMF machine, offers maximum value and flexibility. With a peak intensity of 280 Gauss, the FlexPulse can be used for extended amounts of time, even overnight. And because the applicator pads are lightweight and easy to apply to any area of the body, it can be used anywhere you go.
PEMFs in research studies are typically 10 Hz for what is considered “high” frequency rTMS and 1 Hz for “low” frequency rTMS. FlexPulse devices offer six programs with frequencies ranging from 3 Hz to 1000 Hz. The FlexPulse is an affordable option for regular PEMF sessions at home or on the go.
FlexPulse comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 2-year warranty on the controller.
References
- Avenanti A, Coccia M, Ladavas E, Provinciali L, Ceravolo MG. Low-frequency rTMS promotes use-dependent motor plasticity in chronic stroke: A randomized trial. Neurology. January 2012:256-264. doi:10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182436558
- Cichoń N, Bijak M, Czarny P, et al. Increase in Blood Levels of Growth Factors Involved in the Neuroplasticity Process by Using an Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field in Post-stroke Patients. Front Aging Neurosci. 2018;10:294. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30319398.
- Kim C, Wheatley-Guy C, Stewart G, Yeo D, Shen W, Johnson B. The impact of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on blood pressure and circulating nitric oxide levels: a double blind, randomized study in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Blood Press. August 2019:1-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31394939.
- Bragin D, Statom G, Hagberg S, Nemoto E. Increases in microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation via pulsed electromagnetic fields in the healthy rat brain. J Neurosurg. 2015;122(5):1239-1247. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25343187.
- Khedr EM, Etraby AE, Hemeda M, Nasef AM, Razek AA. Long-term effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function recovery after acute ischemic stroke. Acta Neurol Scand. 2010 Jan;121(1):30-7. Epub 2009 Aug 11
