Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on human cells

Laboratoire de Recherches rattaché à l'Université de Bordeaux, au CNRS et à l'ENSAM. 

Cells membranes have a transmembrane potential due to the density of sodium and potassium. Externally applied PEMFs induce electric fields in the targeted area of the body. These induced electric fields force the movement of ions through cell membranes. This leads to improved cell metabolism, activation of cellular signaling pathways, decreased inflammation, stimulation of tissue repair.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields apparatus are abundant in the market and many publications report positive clinical effects of this non-invasive treatment on patients. However, there is also a great diversity of the treatment protocols (electromagnetic wave parameters: frequency, shape, intensity; treatment duration). A rationale analysis of PEMFs effects is also complicated by the variability in individual patient responses. In some countries, like the USA, PEMF is a well recognized therapy; in other countries, like France, a debate still exists. A more precise understanding of PEMFs mechanism of action is thus needed.

The proposed work will be mainly focused on the physical comprehension of the PEMF therapy. As a first approach, a rough model of the thorax or of a body member can be constructed, incorporating appropriate values for the electric and magnetic constants of the human tissues. Then Maxwell equations will be solved in this targeted area, in order to provide orders of magnitude of the induced electric fields, and to compare these results with the natural electric activity of the cells and tissues.   

good level in physics and mathematics, interested by biomedical applications.