Brief summaries of some of NFAM’s
most noteworthy projects:

Testing the use of magnetic stimulation to improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

This treatment has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life for patients suffering from the disease.  As designed, this double blind, randomized trial will test the effectiveness of a picoTesla magnetic treatment versus a sham device on motor function for patients with Parkinson's disease.  Research will be conducted at the Veteran's Administration Parkinson Research Center in the Philadelphia Veterans’ Administration Hospital Medical Center.  This protocol is under scientific panel review with approval expected in the first half of 2007.

Evaluating electromagnetic therapy on patients with advanced congestive heart disease.

In 2006 NFAM staff conducted a randomized pilot study to evaluate the effect of standard drug therapy plus electromagnetic (EM) therapy on symptoms and function in patients with advanced congestive heart disease. The study was conducted at the Instituto Nacional del Corazon (National Heart Institute) in lima, Peru.  NFAM has obtained approval from the Instituto Nacional de Salud (Peruvian National Institute of Health) to conduct a larger, prospective Phase II trial evaluating EM therapy with 82 patients. The Phase II study began in the Spring of 2007.

NFAM is engaged in a strong effort to find and evaluate treatments to benefit active personnel, veterans, and their families. Areas for study have included management of acute and chronic pain and wound healing. The MIL-CAM focus expanded in 2006 to include health concerns that confront active personnel and veterans.  Conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, and infectious diseases have been included in the scope of investigations for MIL-CAM.

Nutritional Supplements for Patients with AIDS

Millions of individuals worldwide continue to be newly infected with HIV every year. Nutritional supplements may prove to be a safe, effective, inexpensive, and easily accessible adjunct to standard care. Preliminary research indicates that antioxidants such as selenium, zinc, vitamin A, C, E, and other important vitamin precursors may improve the quality of life for HIV-positive patients by reducing symptoms such as diarrhea and fatigue. Supplements may also help strengthen the immune system and potentially reduce viral load in the body. Testing through a randomized controlled pilot study will be a monumental advance in determining the effectiveness of nutritional supplements.

Faster Healing of Burns

Using Silver-Coated Nylon Wound Dressing with Microcurrent

Burn injuries account for up to 20% of conventional combat casualties, and expose their victims to infection, organ dysfunction, and severe dehydration. A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study will be conducted in 2007 at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. The efficacy of direct microcurrent in combination with an FDA-approved silver nylon dressing will be evaluated in the treatment of skin donor sites for partial thickness thermal injuries. The study will test for wound-closure time, pain and infection. This protocol has been approved and is pending military oversight approval.

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