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THE EFFECTS OF DIATHERMY ON THE FLOW OF BLOOD IN THE EXTREMITIES

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KHALIL G. WAKIM, JEROME W. GERSTEN, JULIA F. HERRICK, EARL C. ELKINS, FRANK H. KRUSEN · 1948

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Short wave diathermy RF radiation measurably altered blood circulation patterns in both animal and human subjects in 1948.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1948 study examined how short wave diathermy (a medical heating treatment using radio frequency radiation) affects blood circulation in both dogs and humans. Researchers used plethysmographic measurements to determine whether this therapeutic RF exposure increases or decreases blood flow in the extremities.

Why This Matters

This early research represents one of the first systematic investigations into how radio frequency radiation affects human circulation. What makes this study particularly relevant today is that short wave diathermy operates in similar frequency ranges to some modern wireless devices, yet was already showing measurable biological effects on blood flow patterns in 1948. The science demonstrates that RF radiation can produce physiological changes in circulation, a finding that challenges the industry narrative that non-ionizing radiation has no biological effects below heating thresholds. The reality is that our bodies respond to electromagnetic fields in ways that go beyond simple thermal heating, and this circulation research from over 75 years ago provides early evidence of such responses.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
KHALIL G. WAKIM, JEROME W. GERSTEN, JULIA F. HERRICK, EARL C. ELKINS, FRANK H. KRUSEN (1948). THE EFFECTS OF DIATHERMY ON THE FLOW OF BLOOD IN THE EXTREMITIES.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_effects_of_diathermy_on_the_flow_of_blood_in_the_extremities_g5598,
  author = {KHALIL G. WAKIM and JEROME W. GERSTEN and JULIA F. HERRICK and EARL C. ELKINS and FRANK H. KRUSEN},
  title = {THE EFFECTS OF DIATHERMY ON THE FLOW OF BLOOD IN THE EXTREMITIES},
  year = {1948},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this 1948 study found that short wave diathermy RF radiation produces measurable changes in blood flow patterns in both dogs and humans, demonstrating that radio frequency radiation can affect circulation beyond simple heating effects.
Researchers used plethysmographic measurements to track blood flow changes in human extremities during diathermy treatment, while also conducting controlled experiments on anesthetized dogs to study circulation effects systematically.
Despite diathermy being used therapeutically for over ten years by 1948, there were very few studies examining its effects on circulation, making this research crucial for understanding how RF radiation affects blood flow.
The study examined whether the manner of diathermy application or the distance of the exposed area from treatment might account for different circulation findings reported in earlier literature.
The study aimed to definitively determine whether diathermy increases or decreases circulation in extremities, investigating conflicting findings from previous research through both experimental and clinical measurements.