A series of sessions in which pulsed magnetic fields are applied to the head to influence the brain can apparently significantly reduce alcohol cravings in addicts. This is now evident from the meta-analysis of the scientific literature on this topic, which Viennese and Greek experts have conducted. The corresponding procedure has already been established in other countries, such as Great Britain.
“Our aim was to investigate the immediate and up to three-month effect of repetitive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on alcohol craving in alcohol use disorders (AUD; note),” wrote Michael Fahrer of the University’s Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy MedUni Vienna (AKH) and its co-authors (Journal of Addiction Medicine, DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001416).
Skull is “irradiated”
The process of such repeated magnetic field therapy with a corresponding device that ‘irradiates’ the skull in certain areas from the outside has already been recognized in Great Britain by the National Institute for Excellence in Medicine and Nursing (NICE), for example.
“Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses pulsed magnetic fields to weaken or activate brain areas associated with medical or psychiatric disorders. The treatment is non-invasive and is usually performed on an outpatient basis,” wrote Oxford Health, the regional branch of the British National Health Service (NHS). Severe depression and anxiety disorders are exemplary areas of application.
Clear effect
The authors of the meta-analysis again examined randomized (allocation of subjects to study groups by chance) and placebo-controlled studies, each with a minimum of ten rTMS sessions in alcohol addicts. The results spoke in favor of magnetic therapy. “Twelve studies met inclusion criteria and included 475 participants from treatment and control groups. rTMS reduced alcohol craving immediately after treatment compared to sham stimulation. Regarding the maintenance effect, our meta-analysis found a moderate effect of active rTMS on reducing alcohol craving after three months of follow-up,” the experts wrote.
For the immediate effect, the statistical value of a standardized mean difference of minus 0.79 was calculated. This indicates a fairly strong effect. After three months this value was minus 0.44, which should correspond to an average effect. The treatment is probably most effective if it targets part of the so-called frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex.
Differentiation of alternative methods
This form of magnetic therapy has nothing to do with dubious ‘alternative’ methods. The German National Portal for Scientific Medicine (AWMF) stated of the procedure: “Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a relatively new treatment method. It is one of the so-called neurostimulating procedures. With these procedures, nerve cells in the brain are stimulated, that is, stimulated.” The magnetic fields are likely to stimulate brain plasticity and thus contribute to rebalancing communication processes in the organ that are out of balance.
Source: Krone
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