Lessons learned in research: an attempt to study the effects of magnetic therapy.
Difficulties related to chronic wound healing research are frequently discussed, but results of less-than-perfect studies commonly are not published. A 16-week, randomized controlled double-blind study attempted to investigate the effect of static magnetic therapy on the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Of 56 subjects, 37 completed the study. Because of the small sample size, randomization did not control for differences between the two groups, and the data could not be analyzed in any meaningful way. The challenges of performing magnetic therapy research are discussed and considerations for future studies are noted.
Szor
Judy K
JK
Healing Wound and Ostomy Care, LLC, Toledo, Ohio, USA. HWOS3@aol.com
Holewinski
Paul
P
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D018401:Sample Size; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012775:Shoes / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing