Treatment of myofascial shoulder pain in the spinal cord injured population using static magnetic fields: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic therapy has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of chronic pain syndromes. It has not been studied in the treatment of myofascial shoulder pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Because this type of pain is commonly refractory to traditional therapy, alternative treatments often are considered. The primary objective is to determine whether myofascial shoulder pain in persons with SCI can be temporarily ameliorated with static magnetic fields.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Clinic of a university hospital system.


METHODS
A volunteer sample of 8 participants with SCI; 3 women, 5 men; mean age = 45 years; mean duration of injury = 12.3 years.


METHODS
Placement of a commercially available magnet with a static magnetic field of 500 gauss on the affected shoulder for 1 hour.


METHODS
Pretreatment and posttreatment scores on the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and pressure algometry were compared.


RESULTS
The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire descriptors demonstrated significant decreases: stabbing, 0.75 +/- 0.71 (P < 0.02); sharp, 0.50 +/- 0.53 (P < 0.033); and tender, 0.88 +/- 0.83 (P < 0.021). They also demonstrated a significant decrease in the present pain intensity of 0.63 +/- 0.52 (P < 0.011). Participants demonstrated a nonsignificant decrease of 0.813 +/- 0.998 (P < 0.55) on the visual analog scale. Pressure algometry was nonsignificant with a difference of 0.062 +/- 1.17 (P < 0.885).


CONCLUSIONS
Static magnetic fields may decrease the sensory dimensions and intensity of myofascial shoulder pain in persons with SCI.
Panagos
Andre
A
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-6490, USA. apanagos@pol.net
Jensen
Mark
M
Cardenas
Diana D
DD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*