Randomised controlled trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee

BMJ. 2004 Dec 18;329(7480):1450-4. doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7480.1450.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of commercially available magnetic bracelets for pain control in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

Design: Randomised, placebo controlled trial with three parallel groups.

Setting: Five rural general practices.

Participants: 194 men and women aged 45-80 years with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

Intervention: Wearing a standard strength static bipolar magnetic bracelet, a weak magnetic bracelet, or a non-magnetic (dummy) bracelet for 12 weeks.

Main outcome measures: Change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis lower limb pain scale (WOMAC A) after 12 weeks, with the primary comparison between the standard and dummy groups. Secondary outcomes included changes in WOMAC B and C scales and a visual analogue scale for pain.

Results: Mean pain scores were reduced more in the standard magnet group than in the dummy group (mean difference 1.3 points, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 2.55). Self reported blinding status did not affect the results. The scores for secondary outcome measures were consistent with the WOMAC A scores.

Conclusion: Pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee decreases when wearing magnetic bracelets. It is uncertain whether this response is due to specific or non-specific (placebo) effects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetics / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis, Hip / therapy*
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / therapy*
  • Pain / prevention & control*
  • Rural Health
  • Treatment Outcome