EHF therapy is a biophysical theory studying mechanisms of action on the living organism of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of millimeter range (1–10 mm) high frequency (30–300 GHz) of low intensity, and medical practice using effects of the above mentioned action at treatment of different ailments.
Electromagnetic waves of millimeter range are of low penetrative capacity in biological tissue (0,2-0,8 mm), they are practically fully absorbed by surface layers of the skin (water molecules, hydrated albumens, molecules of collagen, cells of connective tissue), without any thermal action. Thus, EHF waves don’t act directly on internal organs of the patient.(1\2)
Theoretical and experimental basis of EHF therapy was developed in the second half of 1980s by Academician Nikolay Devyatkov of NPO “Istok” the leading soviet enterprise in the field of electronics and SHF (city of Fryazino, Moscow Oblast) and by professor Mikhail Golant and their colleagues. They carried out voluminous work dedicated to the study of the effect of tissue regeneration of living organisms due to the EHF radiation of fixed particles of low intensity. This effect was studied on animals and at clinical studies in a number of USSR medical institutions on patients with different ailments. Accelerated healing of damaged tissues was stated, as well as subjective sensations of patients. Authorised agencies of the USSR Ministry of health approved methods used in EHF therapy in clinical practice and issued positive opinion as for serial production and medical application of EHF therapy apparatus “Yav-1” developed in NPO “Istok”.(4\5) Nikolay Deviatkov (head of the project), Mikhail Golant, Oleg Betsky and other scholars were awarded Russian Federation State 2000 Prize for “Development and implementation of apparatuses for treatment and functional diagnostics using low intensity electromagnetic millimeter range oscillations”.
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Founders of EHF therapy (Academician Nikolay Devyatkov and colleagues) explained “high efficiency” of action of 5,6 or 7,1 mm range waves on the human organism by the fact that exactly on these discrete “resonance” frequencies takes place coordinated management of cells and organs of the organism. EHF signals are generated by cell membranes, these signals accelerate different biochemical reactions, change enzymatic activity, reinforce or weaken intercellular connections. They think that radiation at these frequencies allow to normalize guiding connections of cells and organs of the organism damaged by disease or ageing. They recognized at the same time that such interpretation is no more than hypothesis. Presently the idea is widely spread that the main mechanism of EHF therapy is action of EHF waves on biologically active points of the skin which is in its essence a variant of reflexology. Other theories exist which explain effects of EHF action, such as for instance “Electromagnetic homeopathy”, “Wave-Informational therapy” (using action of broad band EHF signal) and others.
Clinical effects, developed along with EHF therapy, can be conditionally divided into general biological, organ non-specific and organ specific categories . - Dependence of general biological effects from parameters of EHF radiation, which depends on the carrier frequency, power and radiation dosage was revealed. Organ-specific effects to a larger degree depend on the zone of action and low-frequency modulation of EMI EHF range. - It is revealed, that EMI EHF range has hemostimulating, antioxidant and adapting effects along with cytostatic damage of organs (Kareva N.P., 2007) - Increase in proliferating activity of dermal fibroblasts and improvement in tissular blood flow at radiation of EMI EHF range in patients with dystrophic pathology of articulations (Polyakov A.G., 2004) is described - Trophic influence of EMI EHF range on the structures of hip joint was discovered, as well as improvement of reparatory processes, decrease of autointoxication, correction of disrupted parameters of hemostasis in rats with combined damage (total radiation at dose of 5 Gy and inflicted cut skin wound) (Kapustina N.B. 2002) - Normalizing influence on bioelectric activity of the brain (decrease of disfunction signs at diencephalic level), decrease of manifestation of asthenia and painful symptoms, optimizing action on reactivity of VNS (vegetative nervous system) at exercise tolerance tests (active orthostatic test) were stated (Mashanskaya A.V., 2007)
Therapeutic practice uses (or used earlier) a large number of EHF therapy apparatuses. Below are described the main ones. Some contemporary apparatuses are combined, and are of EHF and physical therapy action in IR or other range.
In middle 1980s under the leadership of N.D.Deviatkov and M.B.Golant in NPO “Istok” (Fryazino, Moscow Oblast) was developed the first apparatus for EHF therapy “Yav-1”. USSR Ministry of health Committee on new medical equipment recommended “Yav-1” for industrial production (1987) and included it in the State Register of medical products. Late 1980s NPO “Istok” had serial production of these apparatuses. “Yav-1” is produced in two modifications: “Yav-1-5,6” frequency 53534±10 MHz (wave length 5,60 mm) and “Yav-1-7,1” frequency 42194±10 MHz (wave length 7,105mm). Power density of radiation on the aperture of mouthpiece - is not less than 10 mW/cm². Apparatus was designed for use both at home (independently by patients) and in the medical establishments as well. The signal is uninterrupted with frequency modulation. There was a possibility of radiation in the mode of frequency modulation close to the fixed operating frequency: modification “Yav -1-5,6” - in the range of ±50 MHz, modification “Yav -1-7,1” - in the range ± 100 MHz. The dimensions “Yav -1” (without tripod) are - 180 X of 260 X of 290 mm. At present time enterprise “Istok” doesn’t produce “Yav -1”. Apparatus “Yav -1” also was produced in series by Production association “Start”, city of Penza (since 1989).
Apparatus “Yav -103” (NII (Scientific Research Institute) “Orion”, Kiev) is produced for any pre set frequency in the range 38,5 – 100 GHz (wave length 7,8 - 3,0 mm). Modulation - frequency, with the deviation of 50-80 MHz with nominal frequency of modulation 50 Hz. Maximum frequency of modulation is 20 kHz. It was used in studies.
IR EHF therapy apparatus “Triomed” (OOO “Triomed” Saint Petersburg) Registration certificate FSR № 2009/06554 28.12.2009, the apparatus is recommended and introduced in the serial production (55), it was used in studies. Fixed frequencies - 40– 43 GHz (7,5 - 6,98 mm); 52– 57 GHz (5,77 - 5,26 mm); 57 – 63 GHz (5,26 - 4,76 mm); 50– 75 GHz (6,0 - 4,0 mm). Output power 0.001 - 0,01 µW.