Analysis of a scientific paper investigating the therapeutic effect of static magnetic fields.
Response of pain to static magnetic fields in postpolio patients: A double-blinded pilot study
Authors: C Vallbona MD, CF HazlewoodPhD, G Jurida MD
Journal: Archives of Physical and Medical Rehabilitation
Published: November 1997 (Vol 78)
Magnetic field therapy is widely available for the treatment of both humans and animals. There are different methods of application, varying from small pads for specific areas to blankets and underlays for the whole body. Magnetic applications are available that place magnetic fields from 300 to 1000 Gauss*.
The World Health Organization has reported that:
“The available evidence indicates the absence of any adverse effects
on human health due to exposure to static magnetic fields up to two
Tesla. (20,000Gauss)." (World Health Organization, 1987)
The precise mechanism of therapeutic effect remains somewhat inconclusive, however it is believed that devices employing static magnetic fields have a stimulatory effect on regional blood flow, thus enhancing healing of musculoskeletal tissue. The effect of this static magnetic therapy warrants investigation, and this randomized control study aims to do this.
“Outcomes in clinical practice provide the mechanism by which the
health care provider, the patient, the public and the payer are able to assess the end result of care, and its effect on the health of the patient and society.” (Yeomans SG)
Summary of the study
This is a double blinded randomized controlled trial. The aim of the study was to determine if the application of *static magnetic fields would reduce the pain experienced by patients with post polio syndrome (PPS)**. A group of 50 patients with PPS received either a treatment of static magnetism (300-500 Gauss) or received a placebo (no treatment) for a period of 45 minutes. The most common area of treatment was the sacroiliac joint in the lower back.
76% of the patients who received the treatment of static magnetism showed a marked improvement in their condition, measurable as a statistically significant reduction in pain (p<0.05).
Method analysis
This study was a randomized controlled trial. In the hierarchy of research study methods, randomized controlled trials are held in high esteem as the principal method of testing the effectiveness of a treatment intervention. Blinding is used to keep participants and investigators ignorant about the interventions which participants are receiving during the study. In this case, a double-blind technique was used; both the participants and investigators were blinded. This protects against bias, and adds credibility to the outcome when investigating primary effectiveness of a treatment.
Assessment of the patient pain levels was measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. This is a widely used questionnaire used to assess pain and disability in patients. It has been validated in many scientific studies and is a widely used measurement tool. Both the active and placebo groups were followed-up immediately after a 45 minute treatment session. It may have been beneficial to monitor patients in the days following, to evaluate pain levels and the residual pain relief from the application of the magnetic field.
Conclusion and recommendations:
- Static magnetic fields have been shown to result in statistically significant pain relief in post polio patients.
- Further studies are needed using a random sample of participants from a broader based population. This would result in participants with a diversity of painful ailments (e.g. arthritis, low back pain, diabetes). The results of such a study could then be applied to the general population.
- This study applied the magnets for 45 minutes. It is possible that even greater benefit could be achieved if they were applied for longer periods.
- The patients in this study were not followed-up to assess how long the pain relief lasted. Post participation scrutiny is warranted to attain data on duration of effect. It could be expected that the pain relief diminishes over time, if the application of the magnetic field is not continued.
- The magnetism was applied using relatively small pads on specific areas of pain. Further studies should apply the magnetic field using a larger pad/surface area to assess the benefits of magnetism to either a whole limb or indeed to the whole body.
*Static magnetic field. The strength of static magnetic fields is measured in units of Tesla (T), where 1 T is equal to 10,000 gauss.
** Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors anywhere from 10 to 40 years after recovery from an initial paralytic attack of the poliomyelitis virus.
PPS is characterized by a further weakening of muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. Symptoms include fatigue, slowly progressive muscle weakness and, at times, muscular atrophy. Joint pain is common, as are increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2005)
Disclaimer:
Author: Julia Hill. October 2005.
Grad Physiotherapy. MSc Manipulative therapy, University of Coventry, Warwickshire, UK.
Julia Hill is an independent researcher. Any information in this document is to be used at the reader’s discretion. The writer takes no responsibility for actions taken as a result of reading this document.
Bibliography
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- Brown, Candace S. PharmD a; Ling, Frank W. MD b; Wan, Jim Y. PhD c; Pilla, Arthur A. PhD Efficacy of static magnetic field therapy in chronic pelvic pain: A double-blind pilot study. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 187(6):1581-1587, December 2002.
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- Kanai, Shigeyuki,2,*; Taniguchi, Norimasa 1,3; Kawamoto, Masazumi 2; Endo, Hiroshi 2; Higashino, Hideaki 2 Effect of static magnetic field on pain associated with frozen shoulder. The Pain Clinic. 16(2):173-179, 2004.
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- Kinney, Brian M. M.D., M.S.M.E. The Influence of Permanent Magnetic Field Therapy on Wound Healing in Suction Lipectomy Patients: A Double-Blind Study. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 104(7):2267-2268, December 1999.
- Man, Daniel M.D.; Man, Boris M.D.; Plosker, Harvey M.D. The Influence of Permanent Magnetic Field Therapy on Wound Healing in Suction Lipectomy Patients: A Double-Blind Study. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 104(7):2261-2266, December 1999.
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