Therapeutic effects of magnetic and copper bracelets in osteoarthritis: a randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial

摘要: Objectives To test the effectiveness of a typical magnetic wrist strap for reducing pain and stiffness, improving physical functioning amongst patients with osteoarthritis. Design A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. Each participant wore four devices over 16-week period. Setting Forty five osteoarthritis were recruited from general practices in rural urban areas Yorkshire. Interventions Experimental device: commercially available strap. Control devices: weak strap, demagnetised copper bracelet. Main outcome measures The WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, McGill Pain Questionnaire—Pain Rating Index (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS), medication use. Results No difference was observed between terms their effects on as measured by primary measure (WOMAC A), PRI VAS. Similar results obtained stiffness B), function C), use. Further analyses subscales revealed statistically significant (P = 0.025), which favoured experimental device. Participants reported lower sensory after wearing standard than when control devices. However, no adjustment made multiple testing. Conclusions Our indicate that bracelets are generally ineffective managing pain, osteoarthritis. Reported therapeutic benefits most likely attributable to non-specific placebo effects. However such have major adverse may provide hope.