TY - JOUR PY - 2016// TI - Staff exposure to pulsed magnetic fields during depression treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation JO - International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics A1 - Møllerløkken, Ole Jacob A1 - Stavang, Helen A1 - Mild, Kjell Hansson SP - 139 EP - 142 VL - 23 IS - 1 N2 - 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

LA - en SN - 1080-3548 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2016.1223193 ID - ref1 ER -