Intermittent burst-firing weak (1 microTesla) magnetic fields reduce psychometric depression in patients who sustained closed head injuries: a replication and electroencephalographic validation.

14 patients who reported chronic depression more than one year after closed head injuries were exposed to weak (1 microTesla), burst-firing magnetic fields either across the temporal lobes or over the left frontal lobe. The treatment was for 30 min. once per week for 6 wk. The reduction in depression scores after 5 wk. of treatments and after 6 wk. of no treatment (follow-up) accommodated 54% of the variance for both groups. The changes in depression scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (temporal vs frontal). Following treatment, the frequency of complex partial epileptic-like experiences decreased significantly only for the 7 who received the bilateral stimulation over the temporal lobes. Quantitative bipolar electroencephalographic measurements over the occipital, prefrontal, and temporal regions showed increased power within the 16-Hz to 18-Hz range 6 wk. after termination of treatment for those 7 patients who received the burst-firing magnetic fields bilaterally over the temporal lobes but not over the left prefrontal region.