| Magnetic Mattress Pad Use in Patients with Fibromyalgia, A Random Double-Blind Pilot Study. Source: The Journal of Alternative and complementary Medicine, February 2001 Testing by: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass. Agatha P. Colbert, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Conclusion: Magnet therapy reduced fibromyalgia pain. The studies conclusion states "Sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad... Provides statistically significant and clinically relevant pain relief and sleep improvement for subjects with fibromyalgia. No adverse reactions were noted during the 16 week trial period." "The results of this pilot study demonstrate that sleeping for an average of 8 hours per night (prone, supine, or side-lying) on a magnetic mattress pad for a period of 16 weeks, provides significant pain relief and sleep improvement. Because pharmaceutical agents are associated with a high rate of adverse effects and offer only minimum relief for the majority of patients, we recommend a trial of magnet therapy, as a non-invasive, painless, low risk adjunct to standard medical and psychiatric interventions." Magnetic bracelets reduce the pain of osteoarthritis. 17 Dec 2004 Magnetic bracelets reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, finds a study in this week's Christmas issue of the BMJ. (The British Medical Journal) Osteoarthritis affects around 760,000 people in the United Kingdom, producing over 3 million general practice consultations in 2000. Manufactures of magnetic bracelets claim that they can reduce pain and worldwide sales were estimated at 2.6billion in 1999. But evidence about their effectiveness is contradictory. Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School recruited 194 patients aged 45-80 years with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee from five rural general practices in Devon. Patients wore either a standard strength magnetic bracelet, a weak magnetic bracelet, or a non-magnetic (dummy) bracelet for 12 weeks. Changes in pain were recorded using a recognised pain scoring scale. They found a significant reduction in pain scores between the standard and dummy magnet groups. The results for the weak magnet group were similar to those of the dummy magnets, and this suggests that the magnetic strength of the bracelet is important. The authors emphasis that the benefits are in addition to exist in treatments, which should not be suddenly stopped without discussion with their doctor. Also they note that high strength magnets (170m Tesla or more) seem to be needed. Although factors such as use of painkillers and patients' beliefs about the type of bracelet they were testing did not effect the results, the authors cannot be certain whether their findings are due to a specific effect of magnets or a placebo effect. But, whatever the mechanism, the benefit from magnetic bracelets seems clinically useful. The (one-off) cost of bracelets, also compares will with that of pain killers, such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs, and larger investigations should now test the safety of magnets relative to the well-known risks of these drugs, they add. Further work is also needed to replicate these findings and determine whether the effect extends beyond 12 week, they conclude. Contact: Hannah Skeggs, Communications Department, Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth, UK Email: hannah.skeggs@pms.ac.uk (Randomised controlled trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in lower limb osteoarthritis) Reprinted from www.medicalnewstoday.com newsid=17951 Efficacy of static magnetic field therapy in chronic pelvic pain: A double-blind pilot study Candace S. Brown, PharmD, Frank W. Ling, MD, Jim Y. Wan, PhD, and Arthur A. Pilla, PhD Memphis, Tenn and New York, NY Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of static magnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) by measuring changes in pain relief and disability. Study Design: Thirty-two patients with CPP completed 2 weeks and 19 patients completed 4 weeks of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled treatment at a gynecology clinic. Active (500G) or placebo magnets were applied to abdominal trigger points for 24 hour per day. The chill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale were outcome measures. Results: Patients receiving active magnets who completed 4 weeks of double-blind treatment had significantly lower Pain Disability Index (P<.05), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (P<.05), and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (P<.01) score than those receiving placebo magnetic, but were more likely to correctly identify their treatment (P<.05). Conclusion: SMF therapy significantly improves disability and may reduce pain when active magnets are worn continuously for 4 weeks in patients with CPP, but blinding efficacy is compromised. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002; 187: 1581-7.) Back to Top of Page |
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