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Chronic Pain
Exposure to static magnetic field ceases mechanical allodynia in neuropathic pain in mice.
Antal M, László J.
Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embriology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
Magnetic therapy as a self-care intervention has led to the conduct
of numerous human trials and animal experiments. Results concerning the
analgesic efficacy of magnetic exposure, however, are inconsistent.
By using a magnetic device generating an inhomogeneous static
magnetic field (iSMF), here we studied how the whole-body exposure to
iSMF may influence the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of the hind
paw in different stages of neuropathic pain evoked by partial ligation
of the sciatic nerve in mice.
It was found that iSMF exposure did not prevent the decrease of MWT
in the first postoperative week. A 2-week long iSMF treatment that was
started just after the nerve ligation elevated MWT values to a modest
extent. However, the effectiveness of a daily exposure to iSMF was much
more prominent when it was applied between postoperative days 15 and 28.
In this case, MWT was already noticeably increased after the first
treatment and it practically reached the control values by the end of
the 2-week long exposure period. The results suggest that exposure to
iSMF cannot prevent the development of mechanical allodynia, but can
inhibit processes that maintain the increased sensitivity to mechanical
stimuli in neuropathic pain.
Antal M, László J (Sep 2009). "Exposure to inhomogeneous static
magnetic field ceases mechanical allodynia in neuropathic pain in mice."
Bioelectromagnetics. 30(6):438-45. PMID: 19405037
Definition: Allodynia - “other pain” not
from an injury; pain due to a stimulus which does not normally provoke
pain; pain from light touch, brushing, hot or cold temperatures; pain
associated with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, neuralgia, and migraines
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A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study to
investigate the effectiveness of a static magnet to relieve
dysmenorrhea.
Eccles NK.
The Chiron Clinic, London, England. drnyjon@hotmail.como
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the
hypothesis that a specially designed, static magnet of 2700 gauss,
attached over the pelvic area, could relieve menstrual pain.
DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, postal questionnaire study. SETTING: The study was
conducted in a primary care, single center.
PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five (65) women (mean age 29.1 +/- 1.52
years) were recruited from an advertisement in a London newspaper. The
entry criterion was regular dysmenorrhea. The exclusion criterion was
known secondary dysmenorrhea. Of the 65 women who were enrolled, 35
completed the study.
INTERVENTIONS: A questionnaire-based assessment was completed
by each subject and checked by telephone before and after random
allocation to use of either the static magnet device (2700 gauss) or an
identical, weaker magnetic placebo device (140 gauss). Assessment was
made by telephone before and after a complete menstrual cycle. None of
the participants was examined or seen face-to-face.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were level of
pain, using the McGill Pain and Visual Analogue Scales, and ratings of
associated symptoms such as irritability, restriction of usual
activities, and painkiller consumption.
RESULTS: There was a significant reduction (p < 0.02) in
pain in the magnet group compared to the placebo group. Pain score
differences (McGill pain score before-pain score after use of device)
were -17 (-53, 13) (median and interquartile ranges) in the magnet group
and -5.0 (-29, 27) in the placebo group. The 95% Mann-Whitney
confidence intervals for the median difference between the magnet and
placebo groups (magnet-placebo) were -53.0 to 23.38. A reduction in
irritability symptoms in the magnet group approached statistical
significance (p = 0.056).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of participants, the
level of significance reached in the reduction of pain merits reporting.
This is a pilot study to a much larger study of the same device as an
analgesic in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
PMID: 16131292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Auriculotherapy on low back pain in the elderly
Suen LK, Wong TK, Chung JW, Yip VY.
The Nethersole School of Nursing, Esther Lee Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
The objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of
auriculotherapy using magnetic pellets for the elderly suffering from
low back pain (LBP). Sixty participants who were 60-years old or above
and had been suffering from LBP were recruited. Participants were
randomly allocated to receive auriculotherapy on a 3-week basis using
either Semen Vaccariae (control group=30) or magnetic pellets
(experimental group=30). Seven auricular acupoints that are believed to
have an effect on LBP were selected. Treatment effects were evaluated
using the Chinese Pain Intensity Verbal Rating scale (VRS). The
experimental group had indeed experienced a significant improvement in
pain relief when compared with the control group; and the therapeutic
effects were sustained at 2 and 4-week follow-up periods after the
therapy. Findings of this study demonstrated that auriculotherapy using
magnetic pellets significantly reduce the pain intensity level of the
elderly suffering from non-specific LBP.
PMID: 17210513 [PubMed - in process]
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A critical review of randomized controlled trials of static magnets for pain relief
Eccles NK.
The Chiron Clinic, London, UK. drnyjon@hotmail.com
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to establish whether
there is evidence for or against the efficacy of static magnets to
produce analgesia.
METHODS: A systematic literature review was undertaken of
studies that compared the use of static magnets with an appropriate
control for the treatment of pain. Study methods, their quality, and
outcome were also reviewed.
RESULTS: Overall, 13 of the 21 studies reported a significant
analgesic effect due to static magnets. Of the 18 better quality studies
with 3 points or more on the quality assessment, 11 were positive and
six were negative, and in one there was a non-significant trend towards a
positive analgesic effect. In two of the negative studies, there are
concerns over adequacy of magnet power for the type of pain, and in the
other study of duration of exposure to the magnetic field. If these two
studies are excluded on the grounds of inadequate treatment, then 11 out
of 15 (73.3%) of the better quality studies demonstrated a positive
effect of static magnets in achieving analgesia across a broad range of
different types of pain (neuropathic, inflammatory, musculoskeletal,
fibromyalgic, rheumatic, and postsurgical).
CONCLUSIONS: The weight of evidence from published,
well-conducted controlled trials suggests that static magnetic fields
are able to induce analgesia.
PMID: 15992236 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Analgesic and behavioral effects of a 100 microT specific pulsed
extremely low frequency magnetic field on control and morphine treated
CF-1 mice.
Shupak NM, Hensel JM, Cross-Mellor SK, Kavaliers M, Prato FS, Thomas AW.
Bioelectromagnetics, Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of
Nuclear Medicine, St. Joseph's Health Care, 268 Grosvenor Street,
London, Ont. N6A 4V2, Canada.
Diverse studies have shown that magnetic fields can affect behavioral
and physiological functions. Previously, we have shown that sinusoidal
extremely low frequency magnetic fields and specific pulsed magnetic
fields (Cnps) can produce alterations in the analgesia-related behavior
of the land snail. Here, we have extended these studies to show an
induction of analgesia in mice equivalent to a moderate dose of morphine
(5 mg/kg), and the effect of both Cnp exposure and morphine injection
on some open-field activity. Cnp exposure was found to prolong the
response latency to a nociceptive thermal stimulus (hot plate).
Cnp+morphine offset the increased movement activity found with morphine
alone. These results suggest that pulsed magnetic fields can induce
analgesic behavior in mice without the side effects often associated
with opiates like morphine.
Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jan 2;354(1):30-3.
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Therapeutic effects of peripheral repetitive magnetic stimulation on myofascial pain syndrome.
Smania N, Corato E, Fiaschi A, Pietropoli P, Aglioti SM, Tinazzi M.
Centro di Rieducazione Funzionale Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Verona, Italy. nicola.smania@univr.it
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short- and medium-term effects of peripheral repetitive magnetic stimulation (rMS) on myofascial pain.
METHODS: Eighteen patients who presented with myofascial trigger
points (TPs) at the level of the superior trapezius were separated into
two groups according to a restricted randomization scheme. Group 1 (n=9)
underwent treatment with rMS that consisted of a total of 10 sessions,
each lasting 20min, in which 4000 magnetic stimuli were administered in
5s trains at 20Hz at the TP. Group 2 (n=9) received a placebo treatment
that consisted of the application of a non-functioning ultrasound
therapy device to the TP. Patients were evaluated before treatment, at
the end of treatment, and again 1 week and 1 month after the conclusion
of the treatment. Clinical evaluation included parameters for measuring
pain levels (VAS, NPDVAS and algometry), the myofascial TP
characteristics and the range of cervical movement (ROM).
RESULTS: The rMS group showed a significant improvement in VAS,
NPDVAS, algometry, as well as in the characteristics of the TP after
conclusion of treatment. Improvements in the ROM were also present in
rotation and controlateral bending. This improvement persisted after 1
month. On the other hand, the placebo group did not show any significant
improvement in the tests considered.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that peripheral rMS may
have positive short- and medium-term therapeutic effects on myofascial
pain.
Clin Neurophysiol. 2003 Feb;114(2):350-8.
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Evaluation of electromagnetic fields in the treatment of pain in patients with lumbar radiculopathy or the whiplash syndrome.
Thuile Ch, Walzl M.
International Society of Energy Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Back pain and the whiplash syndrome are very common diseases
involving tremendous costs and extensive medical effort. A quick and
effective reduction of symptoms, especially pain, is required. In two
prospective randomized studies, patients with either lumbar
radiculopathy in the segments L5/S1 or the whiplash syndrome were
investigated. Inclusion criteria were as follows: either clinically
verified painful lumbar radiculopathy in the segments L5/S1 and a
Lasegue's sign of 30 degrees (or more), or typical signs of the whiplash
syndrome such as painful restriction of rotation and flexion/extension.
Exclusion criteria were prolapsed intervertebral discs, systemic
neurological diseases, epilepsy, and pregnancy. A total of 100 patients
with lumbar radiculopathy and 92 with the whiplash syndrome were
selected and entered in the study following a 1:1 ratio. Both groups
(magnetic field treatment and controls) received standard medication
consisting of diclofenac and tizanidine, while the magnetic field was
only applied in group 1, twice a day, for a period of two weeks. In
patients suffering from radiculopathy, the average time until pain
relief and painless walking was 8.2 +/- 0.5 days in the magnetic field
group, and 11.7 +/- 0.5 days in controls (p < 0.04). In patients with
the whiplash syndrome, pain was measured on a ten-point scale. Pain in
the head was on average 4.6 before and 2.1 after treatment in those
receiving magnetic field treatment, and 4.2/3.5 in controls. Neck pain
was on average 6.3/1.9 as opposed to 5.3/4.6, and pain in the
shoulder/arm was 2.4/0.8 as opposed to 2.8/2.2 (p < 0.03 for all
regions). Hence, magnetic fields appear to have a considerable and
statistically significant potential for reducing pain in cases of lumbar
radiculopathy and the whiplash syndrome.
NeuroRehabilitation. 2002;17(1):63-7.
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A Double-Blind Study Demonstrating Therapeutic Benefit of Magnets In Heel Pain Symptomology
Larry Seaman, DPM
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami, Florida
To determine the effectiveness of permanently magnetized pads for the
treatment of heel pain syndrome. A double- blind study was performed on
patients who have had symptoms in the above areas for at least two
weeks. --- Permanently magnetized and demagnetized pads will be applied
to the symptomatic feet without the patient of the clinician able to
differentiate due to identical appearing pads. Only an impartial referee
is aware of the true identity of each pad.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATERIAL TO BE TESTED:
The bipolar pads to be used are rectangular and are 53 mm x 83 mm and
produce about 300 gauss of magnetic current. An identical number of
factory demagnetized pads of identical dimensions were also used for the
study.
PATIENTS TO BE TESTED:
Twenty patients were initially studied using the bipolar pads on
their symptomatic feet. All patients were seen at the foot clinics of
the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. The age of patients
varied from age 21 to age 78. The sex of the patients was noted, but not
thought to be a significant factor in the study.
The patients tested had either heel spur or acute planter fascitis
symptoms such as, acute, burning, or sharp pain on the heel area. All
patients had local symptoms without neurological damage to their back or
lower extremities. Patients who underwent foot surgery within the past
year were not included. Patients who had metallic implants, such as
screws or wires in their feet were excluded. All patients underwent two
weeks of therapy and two weeks of minimum follow-up after the treatment.
CRITERIA FOR TEST DOCUMENTATION:
- Criterion A: Subjective pain sensation.
- Criterion B: Ability to ambulate without pain.
- Criterion C: Need for pain or anti-inflammatory medication.
- Criterion D: Accompanying therapy.
RESULTS OF CLINICAL TRIALS OF TWENTY PATIENTS
Criterion A: Subjective relief of symptoms.
- Magnetized pads: Fourteen patients
- Excellent = 5
- Good = 3
- Fair or no better = 6
- Demagnetized pads: Six patients
- Excellent = 1
- Good = 0
- Fair or no better = 5
Criterion B: Ability to ambulate without pain.
- Magnetized pads: Fourteen patients
- Excellent = 7
- Good = 4
- Fair or no better = 3
- Demagnetized pads: Six patients
- Excellent = 1
- Good = 1
- Fair or no better = 4
Criterion B and C = All patients in the study did not need medications or physiotherapy.
PERCENTAGE OF IMPROVEMENT WITH MAGNETIZED PADS
- Criterion A: Subjective relief of pain = 57.2%
- Criterion B: Improvement in walking = 77.1%
- Criterion C: Need for medication = 0%
- Criterion D: Need for physiotherapy = 0%
PERCENTAGE OF IMPROVEMENT WITH DEMAGNETIZED PADS
- Criterion A: Subjective relief of pain = 16.6%
- Criterion B: Improvement in walking = 16.6%
- Criterion C: Need for medication = 0%
- Criterion D: Need for physiotherapy = 0%
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The indication groups for all trial criteria showed a significantly
higher therapeutic effectiveness with the magnetized pads than the
control groups (demagnetized pads). The best results were achieved with
reduction in subjective pain in the heel spur syndrome category. 57.2%
of all test persons in this category treated with magnetized pads
expressed significant relief of symptoms.
The patients who showed increase in ability to walk without pain
after treatment represented a 77.1 % improvement rate ~with the
magnetized pads versus a 16.6% improvement reported by those with the
demagnetized pads. This percentage represented a placebo effect.
CONCLUSION
The patient group in all criteria showed a higher percentage of
favorable results with the magnetized pads than the demagnetized pads.
The application of the pads to the treatment areas produced no side
effects or skin irritation.
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Interventional neurophysiology for pain control: duration of pain
relief following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the
motor cortex.
Lefaucheur JP, Drouot X, Nguyen JP.
Service de physiologie-explorations fonctionnelles, hopital
Henri-Mondor, Inserm U421, faculte de medecine, 94010 Creteil, France.
jean-pascal.lefaucheur@hmn.ap-hop-paris.fr
The chronic electrical stimulation of a motor cortical area
corresponding to a painful region of the body, by means of
surgically-implanted epidural electrodes is a validated therapeutical
strategy to control medication-resistant neurogenic pain. Repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) permits to stimulate
non-invasively and precisely the motor cortex. We applied a 20-min
session of rTMS of the motor cortex at 10 Hz using a 'real' or a 'sham'
coil in a series of 14 patients with intractable pain due to thalamic
stroke or trigeminal neuropathy. We studied the effects of rTMS on pain
level assessed on a 0-10 visual analogue scale from day 1 to day 12
following the rTMS session. A significant pain decrease was observed up
to 8 days after the 'real' rTMS session. This study shows that a
transient pain relief can be induced in patients suffering from chronic
neurogenic pain during about the week that follows a 20-min session of
10 Hz-rTMS applied over the motor cortex.
Neurophysiol Clin. 2001 Aug;31(4):247-52.
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Pain relief by low-intensity frequency-modulated millimeter waves acting on the acupuncture points.
Samosiuk IZ, Kulikovich IuN, Tamarova ZA, Samosiuk NI, Kazhanova AK.
Analgetic effect of low-intensive frequency-modulated millimetric
waves (MW) was studied in mice with formalin induced nociceptive
behavior reaction (licking of defeat hindpaw). MW were applied to the
acupoint E 36 of the defeat hindpaw. The following MW were used: 60 GHz
(1) and 118 GHz (2) which were modulated by 4 Hz; noise MW within the
range of 42-95 GHz (3) and 90-140 GHz (4) which were modulated in
accidental order by frequencies 1-60 Hz; combinations of fixed
frequencies with noise - 60 GHz + noise 42-95 GHz (5) and 118 GHz +
noise 90-140 GHz (6). All used MW combinations suppressed licking of the
defeat hindpaw and increased duration of sleep and eating. The
strongest analgesia was achieved in series 1-3 (42.4-69.7%), the weakest
in series 6 and 4 of the experiment (12.2-19.7%).
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2000 Jul-Aug;(4):7-11.
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Static magnetic field therapy for pain in the abdomen and genitals.
Holcomb RR; Worthington WB; McCullough BA; McLean MJ
Department of Neurology; Vanderbilt University Medical Center;, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Two adolescents with debilitating, medication-resistant, chronic pain
of the low back and abdomen with intermittent pain of the genitalia
were diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease at spinal cord levels
that correlated with their signs. Both patients had undergone multiple
evaluations by physicians of different specialties and both underwent
appendectomy without relief of their pain. The history of the onset of
pain was important in determining the affected levels. The pain of both
individuals was mimicked and localized by percussion of the vertebral
spines at the level of disk protrusion. This maneuver and careful review
of the history were important in making the correct diagnosis in each
case. In both patients, treatment with novel magnetic devices provided rapid relief that was sustained for more than 2 years.
These cases highlight the need for careful evaluation and correct
diagnosis of abdominal and genital pain in young patients to avoid
costly and unnecessary medical intervention and the stigma of painful
debility.
Pediatr Neurol 2000 Sep;23(3):261.
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Response of pain to static magnetic fields in postpolio patients: a double-blind pilot study.
Vallbona C, Hazlewood CF, Jurida G.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the chronic pain frequently presented by
postpolio patients can be relieved by application of magnetic fields
applied directly over an identified pain trigger point.
DESIGN: Double-blind randomized clinical trial.
SETTING: The postpolio clinic of a large rehabilitation hospital.
PATIENTS: Fifty patients with diagnosed postpolio syndrome who reported muscular or arthritic-like pain.
INTERVENTION: Application of active or placebo 300 to 500 Gauss magnetic devices to the affected area for 45 minutes.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Patients who received the active device experienced an
average pain score decrease of 4.4 +/- 3.1 (p < .0001) on a 10-point
scale. Those with the placebo devices experienced a decrease of 1.1 +/-
1.6 points (p < .005). The proportion of patients in the
active-device group who reported a pain score decrease greater than the
average placebo effect was 76%, compared with 19% in the placebo-device
group (p < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The application of a device delivering static magnetic
fields of 300 to 500 Gauss over a pain trigger point results in
significant and prompt relief of pain in postpolio subjects.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997 Nov;78(11):1200-3.
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Exposure to oscillating magnetic fields influences sensitivity to electrical stimuli. II. Experiments on humans.
Papi F, Ghione S, Rosa C, Del Seppia C, Luschi P.
Dipartimento di Scienze del Comportamento Animale e dell'Uomo, Universita di Pisa, Italy.
To assess the effect of a magnetic treatment on pain perception, we
compared the sensory threshold in 18 healthy volunteers. We determined
the threshold by noninvasive electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp
and skin before and after exposure to an altered magnetic field of low
intensity and to a sham treatment. Five different parameters were
recorded: the sensory and pain thresholds for the tooth and the sensory,
pain, and tolerance thresholds for the skin. Two hours of
exposure to a weak, oscillating magnetic field induced a significant
decrease in three parameters (dental sensory and cutaneous pain and
tolerance thresholds), whereas the other two parameters showed a similar tendency. When
the same subjects were exposed to a sham treatment, only marginal,
nonsignificant variations in all parameters were observed.
These results represent the first piece of evidence that weak
alterations of the magnetic field may induce hyperalgesia in humans.
Bioelectromagnetics. 1995;16(5):295-300.
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Low intensity permanent magnets in the treatment of chronic lumbar radicular pain
Khoromi S, Blackman MR, Kingman A, Patsalides A, Matheny LA, Adams S, Pilla AA, Max MB.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National
Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
USA.
We assessed the pain-relieving efficacy of static magnetic fields
produced by 200 Gauss (G) magnets compared with 50G magnets in a
double-blind, randomized, two-phase crossover study in patients with
chronic lumbar radicular pain. The surface field strengths of the
magnets were 200 and 50G.
Phase I included four random periods of two-week duration: two
periods with 200G, one period with 50G, and one period of "no
treatment." The magnets were positioned either vertically or
horizontally in standard lumbosacral elastic corsets. Phase II consisted
of two five-week periods with the most effective magnet from Phase I
and its corresponding 50 or 200G device. The primary outcome was average
daily leg pain score (0-10 scale) in each period of Phase II.
38 of 40 randomized patients completed Phase I, and 28 of 31 Phase II
participants completed the study. In Phase I, pain scores did not
differ significantly between 200 and 50G magnets. Phase II average leg
pain scores tended to be lower with 200 vs. 50G magnets (3.2+/-2.1 for
200G vs. 3.9+/-2.2 for 50G magnets [P=0.08]) after excluding one
unblinded patient. The relative treatment effect of the 200G magnets
appeared to increase throughout the five-week period. Although these
data cannot rule out a chance effect, the positive trends suggest that
larger, longer-duration, sham-controlled trials with 200G magnets be
considered in patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2007 October; 34 (4):434-45. Epub 2007 Jul 9
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Efficacy of static magnetic field therapy in chronic pelvic pain: a double-blind pilot study.
Brown CS, Ling FW, Wan JY, Pilla AA.
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacoeconomics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, USA.
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 (500 G) or placebo magnets
were applied to abdominal trigger points for 24 hour per day. The McGill
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) scores than those receiving
placebo magnets, 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 Dec;187(6):1581-7
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Effect of magnets on chronic pelvic pain.
Brown CS; Parker N; Ling F; Wan J
University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, USA
OBJECTIVE: Magnetic therapy has been used to manage a variety of
chronic pain syndromes. Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common disorder
that does not always respond to conventional treatments. The primary aim
of this study was to determine if applying magnets to abdominal trigger
points would significantly relieve pain.
METHODS: Patients with CPP between 18 and 50 years of age were
enrolled in a 2-week, double blind, placebo-controlled study with an
optional 2-week blinded continuation phase. Women who completed
single-blind treatment were randomized to receive either active or
placebo 500 Gauss magnets for 24 hours per day. The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI) were used.
RESULTS: Fourteen subjects completed the 2-week study, and eight
subjects completed the continuation phase. There was no significant
treatment effect using repeated measures analysis. Of the eight
treatment extenders, 60% with active magnets compared with 33% with placebo magnets had 50% reductions in MPQ and PDI scores.
A power analysis revealed that 16 subjects were necessary to show a
significant effect after 4 weeks of treatment. Blinding was more
effective in the placebo group than in the active magnet group and at 2
weeks than at 4 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS: This first controlled study of magnetic therapy for CPP suggests that pain relief is related to duration of exposure. The ongoing trial will report on the effect of longer exposure periods and blinding efficacy with a larger sample.
Obstet Gynecol 2000 Apr 1;95(4 Suppi 1):529.
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Effects of static magnets on chronic knee pain and physical function: a double-blind study.
Hinman MR, Ford J, Heyl H.
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
CONTEXT: Static magnets have become an increasingly popular
alternative therapy for individuals with musculoskeletal pain despite
limited scientific evidence to support their efficacy or safety.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of static magnets on the pain and
functional limitations associated with chronic knee pain due to
degenerative joint disease.
DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
SETTING: Pretests and posttests were conducted in an academic health science center.
PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three ambulatory subjects with chronic pain in 1
or both knee joints who were recruited from outpatient clinics or who
volunteered to participate.
INTERVENTION: Subjects wore pads containing magnets or placebos over their painful knee joints for 2 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-administered ratings of pain and physical
function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and a timed 15-m (50-ft) walk.
RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed significantly
greater improvements in the group wearing magnets (P=.002). Univariate
analyses indicated that comparative changes in self-rated pain and
physical function (P=.002 and .001, respectively) were greater than
changes in gait speed (P=.042).
CONCLUSIONS: The application of static magnets over painful knee joints appears to reduce pain and enhance functional movement. However, further study is needed to determine the physiological mechanisms responsible for this analgesic effect.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2002 Jul-Aug;8(4):50-5. PubMed ID: 12126173
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Extensive reorganization of primary somatosensory cortex in chronic back pain patients.
Flor H, Braun C, Elbert T, Birbaumer N.
Department of Psychology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany. hflor@rz.hu-berlin.de
The hypothesis of reorganization of the primary somatosensory cortex
in states of chronic pain was assessed in 10 low back pain patients and
nine matched healthy controls. Intracutaneous electric stimuli were
applied to the left back and index finger at a standard, a non-painful
and a painful intensity. Magnetic fields were recorded by a 37-channel
BTi biomagnetometer from the hemisphere contralateral to the site of
stimulation. The power of the early evoked magnetic field (< 100 ms)
elicited by painful stimulation of the painful back in very chronic
patients was elevated relative to that elicited by painful back
stimulation of healthy controls and showed a linear increase with
chronicity (r = 0.74). The maximum activity elicited in primary
somatosensory cortex was shifted more medially in the very chronic back
pain subjects. These data suggest that chronic pain is accompanied by
cortical reorganization and may serve an important function in the
persistence of the pain experience.
Neurosci Lett. 1997 Mar 7;224(1):5-8.
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Pulsed high frequency (27MHz) electromagnetic therapy for persistent
neck pain. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 patients.
Foley-Nolan D, Barry C, Coughlan RJ, O'Connor P, Roden D.
Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
In the majority of patients with neck pain, symptoms will resolve
spontaneously or quite quickly in response to therapy. However, some
patients' symptoms persist for a long period, irrespective of therapy.
In this study, 20 patients with persistent (greater than 8 weeks) neck
pain were enrolled in a double blind, placebo-controlled trial of low
energy, pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT)--a treatment previously
shown to be effective in soft tissue injuries. For the first 3-week
period, group A (10 patients) received active PEMT units while group B
(10 patients) received facsimile placebo units. After 3 weeks, both pain
(visual analogue scale (P less than .023) and range of movement (P less
than .002) had improved in the group on active treatment compared to
the controls. After the second 3 weeks, during which both groups used
active units, there were significant improvements in observed scores for
pain and range of movement in both groups. PEMT, in the form described,
can be used at home easily in the treatment of patients with neck pain.
It is frequently successful and without side effects.
Orthopedics. 1990 Apr;13(4):445-51.
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Summary of a 12-month double-blind, clinical test of magnetic mattress pads.
Carried out by Sanikukal Hospital, Tokyo Communications Hospital and Kouseikai Suzuki Hospital, by Dr. Kazuo Shimodaira. 1990.
The mattress pads used in this study were typical full-size pads
containing 124 permanent ferrite magnets with magnetic field strengths
of 750-950 gauss each. The pads themselves were made of two sheets of
felt with the magnets sandwiched between them. The felt sheets were then
wrapped in a cloth cover. The total number of subjects of this
double-blind clinical experiment was 431 (216 male, 215 female). 375
subjects were given the magnetic pads, 56 were given non-magnetic pads.
None of the 431 subjects knew which pad they were sleeping on. Subjects
selected for the experiment were those with chief complaints related to:
- Neck and Shoulder pain
- Back and Lower Back Pain
- Back Pain (general)
- Lower Limb Pain
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
To determine the presence of any side effects, blood pressure,
hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, and number of leukocytes were
examined before and after the use of the mattress pads. Besides blood
sedimentation, and TP, COL, ALP, GOT, GPT, Na, and K were also examined,
as were functions of the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and the entire
circulatory system.
Results:
|
Symptom |
Total Cases |
# of Positive |
% of Total |
# of No Results |
% of Total |
|
Neck & Shoulder Pain |
66 |
47 |
71.2% |
19 |
28.8% |
|
Lower Back Pain |
76 |
61 |
80.3% |
15 |
19.7% |
|
General Back Pain |
31 |
25 |
80.7% |
6 |
19.3% |
|
Lower Limb Pain |
68 |
54 |
79.4% |
14 |
20.6% |
|
Insomnia |
70 |
61 |
87.1% |
9 |
12.9% |
|
Fatigue |
64 |
53 |
82.8% |
11 |
17.2% |
Out of 375 total subjects with symptoms, 301 (80.27%) reported positive results. 74 cases (19.73%) reported no results.
Time of Response:
The percentage of subjects who realized the effect of the magnetic mattress pad within 3 days:
|
Neck & Shoulder Pain |
46.9% |
|
Back & Lower Back Pain |
50.0% |
|
Back Pain (general) |
38.7% |
|
Lower Limb Pain |
54.4% |
|
Insomnia |
64.3% |
|
Fatigue |
57.8% |
Out of 375 total subjects who slept on the magnetic mattress pads, 200 (53.3%) realized the effects within 3 days. Over 70% realized the effects within 5 days.
Testing for side effects was conducted at the conclusion of the
experiment. Symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, hearing problems,
visual disturbances, vertigo, palpitation, perceptive abnormality,
motorial disturbance, fever, digestive disturbance, coetaneous symptoms,
and other clinical symptoms to suggest any side effects were found to
be totally absent. Extensive testing was also done before and after the
experiment to check functions of kidneys liver, pancreas, blood
pressure, and the circulatory system. No clinical symptoms were found to indicate any side effects whatsoever.
Conclusion
Dr. Shimodaira's conclusion of this year-long study conducted in 3 of Japan's foremost hospitals:
"The magnetized health mattress pad is proved to be effective on neck
and shoulder pain, back and lower back pain, back pain, lower limb pain,
insomnia, and fatigue, and to have no side effects."
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Use of magnetic therapy for chronic pain.
Summary:
A Johns Hopkins pain center treatment study compared
magnetic therapy for chronic pain and a placebo therapy. While some
individuals in placebo therapy improved minimally, people using the magnetic therapy showed a dramatic improvement.
In addition, there were no side effects from magnetic therapy, thus
making it an apparently reasonable choice for those who have tried and
rejected traditional therapy.
The Arthritis Solution, Joseph Kandel, M.D. and David B. Sudderth, M.D.
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