Changes in peripheral blood flow produced by short-wave diathermy
Abramson DI, Harris AJ, Beaconsfield P, Schroeder JM · 1957
Medical diathermy research from 1957 proved RF energy measurably alters human blood circulation patterns.
Plain English Summary
This 1957 study examined how short-wave diathermy (a medical RF treatment) affects blood circulation in human patients using plethysmography measurements. Researchers found that radiofrequency energy used in medical diathermy treatments produced measurable changes in peripheral blood flow patterns. This early research documented biological effects from controlled RF exposure in a clinical setting.
Why This Matters
This pioneering research from 1957 represents some of the earliest documented evidence that radiofrequency energy produces measurable biological effects in humans. The fact that medical diathermy treatments could alter blood circulation patterns demonstrates that RF fields interact with our physiology in ways that go beyond simple tissue heating. What makes this particularly relevant today is that short-wave diathermy operates in frequency ranges similar to some modern wireless technologies. While diathermy uses much higher power levels than your smartphone or WiFi router, this study established the fundamental principle that RF energy can influence biological processes like circulation. The research used plethysmography, a precise method for measuring blood flow changes, providing objective evidence of RF bioeffects rather than relying on subjective symptoms alone.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 34 minutes
Study Details
To determine whether or not diathermy applied in a manner similar to that used clinically would produce an increase in circulation in a normal forearm, and (2) if this did occur, to locate the vascular bed or beds mainly responsible for the change.
The venous occlusion plethysmographic method was used. The diathermy apparatus used operated at a fr...
At a bath temperature of 32C, with control readings averaging 1.8 cc. per minute per 100 cc. of limb...
The results of the present study support the view that when diathermy is applied to an extremity in dosages comparable to those used clinically, invariably a definite increase in blood flow will be produced. Evidence has also been accumulated to indicate, that at a bath temperature of 45C. the vascular bed primarily affected by the diathermy is in the muscular tissues of the limb. It is generally accepted that at a bath temperature of 32C. the vessels in the limb, both superficial and deep, are in a physiologic state, that is, neither excessively constricted nor excessively dilated. Such a situation is similar to that produced by an environmental air temperature of 25C. Under such circumstances, therefore, any increase in blood flow clicited by diathermy could be attributed to vascular changes either in skin and subcutaneous tissue, in muscle or in both. On the other hand, at a bath temperature of 45C. the heat of the water acts as a very potent agent for the production of almost maximal vasodilation of the surface vessels and possibly those in the superficial muscle layers. It can be assumed that the arterial system, in the cutaneous, and subcutaneous tissues at least, is in such a state of relaxation that other vasodilating procedures should have little or no additive effect. The greater response to diathermy at a bath temperature of 45C. may have clinical implication and application.
Show BibTeX
@article{changes_in_peripheral_blood_flow_produced_by_short_wave_diathermy_g6579,
author = {Abramson DI and Harris AJ and Beaconsfield P and Schroeder JM},
title = {Changes in peripheral blood flow produced by short-wave diathermy},
year = {1957},
}