title: A pilot study of magnetic therapy for hot flashes after breast cancer.
abstract: The purpose of this randomized placebo-controlled crossover pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of magnetic therapy for hot flashes among breast cancer survivors. Participants completed a 24-hour baseline hot-flash monitoring session, wore the magnetic devices or placebo for 3 days, completed an after-treatment hot-flash monitoring session, experienced a 10-day washout period, and then crossed over to the opposite study arm. Magnetic devices and placebos were placed on 6 acupressure sites corresponding to hot-flash relief. Complete data were available from 11 survivors of breast cancer. Results indicated magnetic therapy was no more effective than placebo in decreasing hot-flash severity, and contrary to expectations, placebo was significantly more effective than magnets in decreasing hot-flash frequency, bother, interference with daily activities, and overall quality of life. Implications for clinical practice and future research include the need to explore alternative interventions aimed at alleviating hot flashes in this population.
authors: School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn 37240, USA. Janet.Carpenter@mcmail.Vanderbilt.edu
authors: Janet S
authors: JS
authors: Carpenter
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Wells
authors: Beth
authors: B
authors: Lambert
authors: Peggy
authors: P
authors: Watson
authors: Tami
authors: T
authors: Slayton
authors: Bapsi
authors: B
authors: Chak
authors: Joseph T
authors: JT
authors: Hepworth
authors: W Bradley
authors: WB
authors: Worthington
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects