title: Randomised controlled trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of commercially available magnetic bracelets for pain control in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised, placebo controlled trial with three parallel groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five rural general practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  194 men and women aged 45-80 years with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wearing a standard strength static bipolar magnetic bracelet, a weak magnetic bracelet, or a non-magnetic (dummy) bracelet for 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis lower limb pain scale (WOMAC A) after 12 weeks, with the primary comparison between the standard and dummy groups. Secondary outcomes included changes in WOMAC B and C scales and a visual analogue scale for pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean pain scores were reduced more in the standard magnet group than in the dummy group (mean difference 1.3 points, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 2.55). Self reported blinding status did not affect the results. The scores for secondary outcome measures were consistent with the WOMAC A scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee decreases when wearing magnetic bracelets. It is uncertain whether this response is due to specific or non-specific (placebo) effects.
authors.affiliation: College Surgery, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1TG. timharlow@eclipse.co.uk
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harlow
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greaves
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Edzard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000628:therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012423:Rural Health; D016896:Treatment Outcome