Efficacy of static magnetic field therapy in chronic pelvic pain: a double-blind pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of static magnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) by measuring changes in pain relief and disability.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with CPP completed 2 weeks and 19 patients completed 4 weeks of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled treatment at a gynecology clinic. Active (500 G) or placebo magnets were applied to abdominal trigger points for 24 hour per day. The McGill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale were outcome measures.


RESULTS
Patients receiving active magnets who completed 4 weeks of double-blind treatment had significantly lower Pain Disability Index (P <.05), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (P <.05), and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (P <.01) scores than those receiving placebo magnets, but were more likely to correctly identify their treatment (P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
SMF therapy significantly improves disability and may reduce pain when active magnets are worn continuously for 4 weeks in patients with CPP, but blinding efficacy is compromised.
Brown
Candace S
CS
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacoeconomics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, USA. csbrown@utmem.edu
Ling
Frank W
FW
Wan
Jim Y
JY
Pilla
Arthur A
AA
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008280:Magnetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D010919:Placebos; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010919:Placebos