Discrepancy between claimed field flux density of some commercially available magnets and actual gaussmeter measurements.
BACKGROUND
Magnets are widely used by the public in medical applications.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the field flux density, a measurement of magnetic dosage, provided by over-the-counter magnet manufacturers is accurate.


METHODS
Five magnets were tested for field flux density, and measurements were compared with information provided by manufacturers.


RESULTS
Magnets studied showed actual field flux density measurements that were significantly lower than the values claimed by suppliers.


CONCLUSIONS
Over-the-counter magnet suppliers are not providing reliable information; therefore, clinical replication of published reports is difficult.
Blechman
A M
AM
Division of Orthodontics, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Oz
M C
MC
Nair
V
V
Ting
W
W
D002138:Calibration; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D059408:Pain Management