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Low-field magnetic stimulation (LFMS), a rapidly oscillating, low-voltage (1 kHz, <1 V/m) electromagnetic field, is thought to have a swift antidepressant effect (NEJM JW Psychiatry Jan 29 2004). Designers of a portable electromagnetic LFMS device applied to the head performed a double-blind, sham-treatment–controlled study of its effects in 41 patients with bipolar depression and 22 with unipolar depression (mean ages, 43 and 49, respectively). Some of the authors hold proprietary interests in the device, which is not yet FDA-approved.
Most patients in both diagnostic groups were taking antidepressants. Also, most bipolar patients were taking antipsychotic drugs, anticonvulsants, and/or benzodiazepines, but still had mild-to-moderate levels…