Acta neurologica ScandinavicaJun 20, 2020

Using low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields to treat post-concussion symptoms

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Updated Mar 28, 2026

Abstract

Five out of seven patients experienced an overall reduction in symptoms of up to 61% following treatment.

Transcranial pulsating low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation (T-PEMF) was assessed for its feasibility and tolerability in patients with .
All seven participants completed the 5-week treatment regimen, indicating high compliance.
Two patients reported a worsening of symptoms during the treatment period.
Most patients experienced some discomfort, primarily headaches, though this decreased with each session.
The treatment was associated with a symptom reduction as measured by the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for the subgroup of people who develop long-lasting symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are limited. Transcranial pulsating low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation () in other patient groups has shown promising results in several studies with proposed neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

OBJECTIVE: The present pilot study was conducted to access feasibility and tolerability of T-PEMF in treating .

METHODS: Seven patients with post-concussion syndrome received 5 weeks of daily 30 minutes T-PEMF treatment with evaluation after 2 and 5 weeks and 3 months after ending treatment.

RESULTS: Compliance was high as all subject completed the full treatment. Two patients however experienced a worsening of their concussion symptoms during the course of treatment. The remaining patients had some discomfort in relation to treatment, mainly headache, but passing and less for each treatment. The majority (n = 5) had a reduction in symptoms overall, up to 61% (2%-61%) based on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire.

CONCLUSION: Further studies on T-PEMF as a treatment option for post-concussion syndrome are warranted.

Key numbers

61%

Symptom Reduction

Reduction in symptoms based on Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire scores.

7 of 7

Patient Compliance

All patients completed five weeks of daily treatment.

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Funding

Competing interests

While the study was conducted Steen Dissing (SD) had a 0.6% ownership of the Re5 Company producing the T‐PEMF device. The other authors, Claire Prener Miller (CPM), Martin Prener (MP) and Olaf B. Paulson (OBP), have nothing to declare.

PubMed

Using low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields to treat post-concussion symptoms

Abstract

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Competing interests

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