Citation

Møllerløkken OJ, Stavang H, Mild KH. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 2016; 23(1): 139-142.

Affiliation

Department of Radiation Sciences , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden . Phone.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10803548.2016.1223193

PMID

27593517

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Transcranial magnetic stimulation or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS/rTMS) are currently used in research and treatments of diseases of the central nervous system, such as recurring depressions. Strong electric pulses are used to produce strong pulsed magnetic fields that are directed to the patient's cerebral cortex where the fields induce electric pulses. The pulses may be causing unnecessary exposure of the staff.

METHOD: MagVenture TMS/rTMS system was investigated, without patient present, through measurements of magnetic field pulses in varying distance from emitting coil and different power settings (94-127 A/s).

RESULTS: 14 measurements were done which displayed exposures exceeding the given guidelines up until a distance of 40 cm from the transmitting coil.

DISCUSSION: The study displays that the exposure on staff at this type of treatment may exceed the given guidelines for occupational exposure, thus confirming previous findings. This necessitates good routines in information- and treatment procedures to avoid this exposure.

Language: en