Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of a static magnetic field of either polarity on skin microcirculation med./bio.

By: Mayrovitz HN, Groseclose EE
Published in: Microvasc Res 2005; 69 (1-2): 24-27
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate whether either pole of a local static magnetic field of a permanent magnet affects skin microcirculation.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: 15 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration 15 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • commercial molybdenum magnet (25.4 mm diameter x 12.7 mm)
Setup All testing was done with subjects seated with their arms and hands resting on a padded surface attached to the chair. The top surface of the magnets were covered with soft Velcro material (used for thermal insulation) on which the fingers were resting.
Additional info For sham control non-magnetized pieces of the same dimensions as the magnet, were placed under the middle phalanges of the 2nd and 4th fingers during a 15-min control interval. Thereafter, both shams were removed and replaced with a sham for the 4th finger and an active magnet with either its North or South pole facing the skin of the 2nd finger. Selection of the pole to place during this interval was decided based on a coin flip. After 15 min of exposure, sham and magnet were removed and replaced with a second sham under the 4th finger and the magnet with the opposite polarity under the 2nd finger during a final 15-min interval. In six subjects, the North pole was placed during the second interval, and in six other subjects it was placed during the third interval.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 402.8 mT - measured - at the center of the magnet`s surface
magnetic flux density 87.9 mT - measured - ± 5.2 mT; at the site of skin blood perfusion measurement

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results revealed a large variability in finger skin blood perfusion among subjects and no significant difference in skin blood flow between exposure conditions or any significant interaction between skin blood perfusion and finger.
Comparing skin blood perfusion of the magnet-exposed second finger compared to the sham-exposed fourth finger for each subject, exposure to magnet resulted in a reduction in 11 of 12 subjects. There was no significant difference between effects of north and south poles of the magnet.

Study character:

Study funded by

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