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CHANGES IN BLOOD FLOW, OXYGEN UPTAKE AND TISSUE TEMPERATURES PRODUCED BY THERAPEUTIC PHYSICAL AGENTS; II. EFFECT OF SHORT-WAVE DIATHERMY

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David I. Abramson, M.D., Yvonne Bell, B.S., Habib Rejal, B.S., Samuel Tuck, Jr., B.S., Carolyn Burnett, B.S., and Clara J. Fleischer, M.D. · 1960

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1960 medical research showed radiofrequency energy produces measurable changes in human blood flow and oxygen consumption.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1960 study examined how short-wave diathermy, a therapeutic radiofrequency treatment, affects blood circulation, oxygen consumption, and tissue temperature in humans. The research measured physiological changes during this medical RF therapy to understand its therapeutic mechanisms. This represents early scientific documentation of how radiofrequency energy directly impacts human biology.

Why This Matters

This research from 1960 provides crucial historical context for understanding RF bioeffects. While short-wave diathermy was designed to produce therapeutic heating, the study's focus on blood flow and oxygen uptake changes reveals that RF energy creates measurable biological responses beyond simple thermal effects. What makes this particularly relevant today is that modern wireless devices operate at similar or higher frequencies, yet we're told they're safe because they don't heat tissue enough to cause harm. The reality is that this medical research demonstrates RF energy produces multiple physiological changes in human subjects - effects that occur at power levels designed for therapeutic benefit, not the much lower levels from everyday wireless exposure that we now know can still trigger biological responses.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

graphPage 3 - Fig. 1: Curves of oxygen arteriovenous difference, blood flow and oxygen uptake obtained from the forearm of subject L.G., during and after 30 minutes of short-wave diathermy.
p. 3 of the original PDF
chartPage 4 - AI-described figure: Fig. 2: Curves representing changes in skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle temperatures obtained from the forearm of subject A.G., during and after 30 minutes of short-wave diathermy.
p. 4 of the original PDF

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 27.12 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 27.12 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 30 minutes

Study Details

To determine the changes in local circulation in the forearm during and after application of short-wave diathermy, and also the concomitant alterations in tissue temperature and oxygen uptake.

Fourteen experiments were performed on the forearm of 14 normal male subjects. Blood flow, tissue te...

Application of short-wave diathermy produced a definite increase in blood flow, with an average peak...

The use of clinical dosages of short-wave diathermy elicits a definite and prolonged increase in blood flow and tissue temperatures, the greatest thermal effect being noted in the muscle. Such results do not support the contention that shorter electromagnetic waves are relatively more effective for raising the temperature in superficial tissues than in deep tissues. The finding of an associated elevation in oxygen uptake is in accord with the clinical view which considers the presence of an impaired local arterial circulation a contraindication to the use of short-wave diathermy.

Cite This Study
David I. Abramson, M.D., Yvonne Bell, B.S., Habib Rejal, B.S., Samuel Tuck, Jr., B.S., Carolyn Burnett, B.S., and Clara J. Fleischer, M.D. (1960). CHANGES IN BLOOD FLOW, OXYGEN UPTAKE AND TISSUE TEMPERATURES PRODUCED BY THERAPEUTIC PHYSICAL AGENTS; II. EFFECT OF SHORT-WAVE DIATHERMY.
Show BibTeX
@article{changes_in_blood_flow_oxygen_uptake_and_tissue_temperatures_produced_by_therapeu_g6607,
  author = {David I. Abramson and M.D. and Yvonne Bell and B.S. and Habib Rejal and B.S. and Samuel Tuck and Jr. and B.S. and Carolyn Burnett and B.S. and and Clara J. Fleischer and M.D.},
  title = {CHANGES IN BLOOD FLOW, OXYGEN UPTAKE AND TISSUE TEMPERATURES PRODUCED BY THERAPEUTIC PHYSICAL AGENTS; II. EFFECT OF SHORT-WAVE DIATHERMY},
  year = {1960},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Short-wave diathermy is a medical therapy that uses radiofrequency electromagnetic energy to heat deep tissues. It was commonly used in the 1960s for treating muscle and joint conditions by increasing blood flow and tissue temperature.
Short-wave diathermy operates at similar radiofrequencies as some modern wireless technologies but at much higher power levels. Both produce electromagnetic fields that can interact with human tissue, though diathermy is designed for therapeutic heating.
The researchers measured three key physiological responses: changes in blood circulation, oxygen consumption by tissues, and tissue temperature. These measurements showed how radiofrequency energy affects multiple biological processes simultaneously in human subjects.
Understanding how radiofrequency energy affects blood circulation was essential for optimizing therapeutic treatments. Increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, which was the intended therapeutic mechanism of diathermy.
Yes, this early research demonstrates that radiofrequency energy produces measurable biological changes in humans. While modern devices operate at lower power levels, the fundamental principle that RF energy affects human physiology remains scientifically relevant.