Evaluation of the Effects of an AC Magnetic Field on Cutaneous Blood Flow Volume by Cold Water Immersion Test

Abstract

This study focuses on the acute influence of an AC magnetic field (50 Hz, Bmax 180 mT, for 10 min) on recovery of blood flow after cold water immersion (5 °C water for 1 min) in healthy human subjects. In a randomized, double blind and crossover study design, magnetic field (MF) and sham control (CTL) exposure experiments were carried out. The microcirculation images were recorded and analyzed using a 2D laser speckle flowmetry. The blood flow volume values of the fingers and hand in both MF and CTL groups were significantly reduced immediately after cessation of the immersion and there were significant differences in the recovery rate of finger blood flow between both experiments. The response to cold immersion can be used to detect vascular disorders and the MF-enhanced blood circulation results might prove the physiological role of MF exposure to help eliminating the metabolic waste products in our body.