Therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance

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Therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance describes a treatment method in which the principle of magnetic resonance is used therapeutically.

Patients are exposed to three different fields: a static magnetic field , a modulated magnetic field and a pulsed radio frequency field . This is intended to activate metabolic processes in the body and trigger regenerative processes in different cell and tissue groups that can be specifically controlled. So far, there are small, individual scientific studies (62–70 patients) that provide evidence of effectiveness, as well as a tiny (39 patients) long-term study based on therapy up to four years ago. The technology is used by proponents mainly for degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, joint diseases (osteoarthritis), sports and accidental injuries as well as osteoporosis and metabolic disorders in the area of ​​the bone.

Working principle

The magnetic resonance imaging is widely used for many years in clinical diagnostics as an imaging method for accurate tissue imaging (organ, tissue and bone structures). The basis for the generation of MRI images is the property of hydrogen atoms to align themselves in one direction in a magnetic field like compass needles. If you also direct radio waves of a certain resonance frequency onto the aligned atoms, this impulse ensures that they rotate by up to 180 degrees and absorb energy in the process. If the radio waves are switched off again, the atoms return to their original state. The energy initially absorbed is released again. In this way, nuclear magnetic resonance can in principle also be brought about with low flux densities. The therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance method attempts to exploit the effect that hydrogen atoms react differently in different tissue structures. The aim is also the homologies of special hydrogen ion channels (protons) with receptors for vanillic acid, which in turn are responsible for the transmission of pain.

The special technical feature of the process is that the effect of the fast adiabatic pulses is used to generate the nuclear magnetic resonance in small and inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The device systems are class IIa medical products in accordance with the requirements for medical products in Directive 93/42 / EEC. The magnetic fields generated are in the millitesla range and are therefore about a factor of 1000 weaker than the fields used in diagnostic magnetic resonance tomography. The technology is also patented in numerous countries.

The treatment method is non-invasive. The patient places the area to be treated in a flat, ring-shaped or open applicator.

commitment

Efficacy studies

In vivo and in vitro studies as well as investigations in animal models were carried out on the effectiveness of therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance. The method was also presented in lectures and poster presentations at medical congresses and specialist conferences, and there are additional publications in German and Austrian medical magazines. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 70 patients and a follow-up period of 6 months for finger joint arthrosis, it was found that finger function was significantly improved during manual activities over several months with simultaneous pain reduction. A study (over 60 patients) with indications of a positive effect, also with regard to pain, was carried out on the effect of nuclear magnetic resonance on the success of rehabilitation in chronic back pain (lower back pain).

At the Aachen / Jülich University of Applied Sciences, several in vitro studies were carried out according to international standards on chondrocytes, osteoblasts, skin cells and the extracellular matrix. The influence of nuclear magnetic resonance has led to a tendency towards growth in the reproduction of chondrocytes and osteoblasts . Further studies with skin fibroblasts show that protein synthesis in fibroblasts has been changed. Research with therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance could also show that cross-connections between collagen and skin fibroblasts as well as the extracellular matrix were influenced.

Areas of application

For the therapeutic application of nuclear magnetic resonance, proponents of conservative (non-surgical) orthopedics cite a wide range of therapies. The procedure serves to supplement the existing manual range of services in conservative orthopedics and trauma surgery. In osteoarthritis , the method is used to treat the joints as well as ligament, tendon and tendon attachment problems, tennis elbow , golf elbow and Achilles tendon syndrome. The disease of osteoporosis , bone necrosis , metabolic and circulatory problems in the area of the bone should be able to be successfully treated with the therapy system. According to the manufacturer, there are around 200 facilities in Germany that treat around 10,000 patients per year. In the area of evidence-based medical research , the procedure is not accepted.

Critical reception

Even if there are different physical principles and the scientific and technological background is demonstrably different, some critics compare the technology of nuclear magnetic resonance with the much simpler technology of pulsating electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and see similarities. The number of subjects in the individual studies is low. It should be noted that these studies were not published in explicit specialist journals but in association organs and that they do not meet the criteria for peer-reviewed journals. There is no information on the exact procedure and statistics. In scientific medicine, this therapy is viewed as "not yet scientifically proven" with regard to its effectiveness. In the area of evidence-based medicine , the method is not recognized due to the current insufficient study situation.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ^ F. Bloch: Nuclear Induction. In: Phys Rev. 70, 1946, p. 460.
  2. a b W. Kullich, M. Ausserwinkler: Functional improvement in finger joint arthrosis through therapeutic use of nuclear magnetic resonance. In: Orthopedic Practice. 6/2008, pp. 287–290 ( medtec.co.il ( memento of the original from October 1, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and remove then this note. , PDF) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.medtec.co.il
  3. a b A. Temiz-Artmann, P. Linder, P. Kayser, I. Digel, GM Artmann, P. Lücker: NMR in vitro effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and viability of human chondrocytes and osteoblasts. In: Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 27, 2005, pp. 391-394. PMID 16179956
  4. W. Kullich: The effect of MBST with complex three-dimensional electromagnetic nuclear resonance fields on patients with low back pain. In: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 19, 2006, pp. 79-87. ISSN  1053-8127 ( Poster ( Memento from February 2, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), on: mbst-science.com , PDF; 265 kB)
  5. I. Froböse, U. Eckey, M. Reiser, C. Glaser, F. Englmeier, J. Assheuer, G. Breitgraf: Evaluation of the effectiveness of three-dimensional pulsating electromagnetic fields of MultibioSignalTherapy (MBST) on the regeneration of cartilage structures. In: Orthopedic Practice. 36, 2000, pp. 510-515.
  6. A. Levers, M. State, W. van Laack: Analysis of the long-term effect of magnetic resonance therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee. In: Orthopedic Practice. 11, 2011. (online at: fh-aachen.de )
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  13. ^ A. Tannus, M. Garwood: Adiabatic Pulses. In: NMR in Biomedicine. Volume 10, 1997, pp. 423-434. ( usc.edu PDF; 375 kB).
  14. z. B. European patent EP 1 089 792 B1; U.S. Patent 7,524,276
  15. W. Kullich et al .: Magnetic resonance improves the success of rehabilitation in the case of chronic low back pain. In: J Mineral Metabolism. 4, 2005, p. 125. ( Congress abstract ( memento of February 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ), PDF; 275 kB)
  16. a b I. Digel et al.: Decrease in extracellular collagen crosslinking after NMR magnetic field application in skin fibroblasts. In: Med Biol Eng Comput. 45 (1), Jan 2007, pp. 91-97. PMID 7203317
  17. R. Glaser: Healing Magnets - Radiant Cell Phones: Biolectromagnetism - Facts and Legends . Wiley-VCH, 2008, ISBN 978-3-527-40753-8 , p. 261, books.google.de
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