While the use of magnets for health purposes dates back hundreds of years, there have been no real studies performed to determine the actual level of benefit until the University of Virginia published results from one of the first clinical research studies performed. This publication came out in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine with some interesting findings.

Overall, the results were inconclusive although people suffering from Fibromyalgia pain did experience a reduced level of pain. Pain is measured in many different forms. However, for the purpose of this study, there were three measures used, which used the functional status reported by study participants on a standard questionnaire used nationwide for Fibromyalgia, the number of trigger points located on the body, and the level of pain. The data was comprised of 94 patients with Fibromyalgia that were divided into four separate groups randomly.

The first group was given sham pads that contained magnets that were demagnetized by going through a heat process. The second group was given their usual treatment for Fibromyalgia. The two remaining groups were given active magnetic pads - one of these groups used Pad A, providing exposure to the entire body through a low, uniform static magnetic field of negative polarity, and the other group used Pad B, which had been exposed to subjects in a low static magnetic field, which varied in both polarity and spatially. All four groups were then treated and monitored for six months as the data was gathered.

For most of the outcome measurements, there were no significant statistical differences found.

However, there was a statistically significant difference regarding the intensity of pain for one of the groups using the active magnetic pad. Both of the Pad A and Pad B groups slept on active magnets and showed the highest level of improvement in all three measurements - pain intensity, number of trigger points, and body and functional status after the six-month trial.

For the group with Pad A, they showed a consistent improvement on all three measures over the course of six-months while the Pad B group showed the same improvement but in only three months. The group with the sham pad and the group receiving their normal care showed no improvement. As a way of quantifying the dosage and exposure of the magnetic fields, the mattresses were thoroughly tested. The result for the group with the active magnets showed that the therapy works, although there is still little understanding as to how. Some sceptics state that conclusions cannot be drawn on one study and perhaps more in depth studies are needed. However, with the outcome of the study that was conducted, the results were promising. www.sciencehat.com/user12

The Man Study

All patients in the study received liposuction surgery from the same doctor and were divided into two groups of 10 patients, one group had active magnetic patches the second group had inactive sham devices that looked exactly the same and placed exactly the same way.

The results of the study were stunning. In the treatment group with active magnets there was;

1)Statistically significant reduction in discoloration.

2)Statistically significant reduction in swelling

3)With the pain measurement, pain was found to be significantly decreased and

patients took notably fewer pain killers.

There was no difference in the incidence of complications in both groups and no side effects were observed.

D.Man, The influence of Permanent magnetic field therapy on Wound Healing in Suction Lipectomy Patients: A Double-Blind Study,

Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (December 1999): 2261

The Colbert Study

CONCLUSION:

"Sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad with a magnet surface field strength of approx. 1100 gauss, delivering 200-600 gauss at the skin surface, provides statistically significant and clinically relevant pain relief and sleep improvement in subjects with fibromyalgia. No adverse reactions were noted during the 16 week trial period."

Colbert AP, Markov MS, Banerji M, Pilla AA. Magnetic mattress pad use in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized double-blind pilot study.

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 1999; 19-31

Baylor Study

CONCLUSION:

"The delivery of static magnetic fields through a magnetized device directly applied to a pain trigger point or to a localized painful area results in significant pain relief within a short period of time (less than 45 minutes in our study) and with no apparent side effects. Based on the results of this study and reports in literature of the effect on people with arthritis, it appears that magnetic field energy may be useful in the management of pain in individuals with other types of impairments that are commonly treated in primary care settings/"

Vallbona C, Hazelwood DF, Jurida F. Response to pain to static magnetic fields in post-polio patients: a double blind pilot study.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1997; 1200-1203

Dr. Michael Weintraub's Study

Use of magnetic insoles for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

RESULTS:

Of the 10 diabetic subjects 90% experienced statistically significant reductions and/or resolutions of their symptoms of burning pain, numbness, and tingling.

Weintraub M. Magnetic bio-stimulation of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a novel intervention-a randomized, double-placebo crossover study.

Am J Pain Manag 1991; 9; 8-17       

Note: painbegone.ca does not claim nor does it imply that the magnetic devices used in any of the above described studies were manufactured and/or supplied by any specified vendor.