Magnet, Copper Bracelets May Not Help Arthritis

Magnet and copper bracelets may not improve symptoms of osteoarthritis, researchers report in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

Although magnet therapy has gained popularity in recent years, there is a lack of evidence supporting its use for arthritis. Research on the effectiveness of copper bracelets is also limited, although it has historically been used to treat the condition.

In the 16-week-long study, 45 patients with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to wear a magnetic wrist strap, weak magnetic wrist strap, de-magnetized wrist strap or copper bracelet for four weeks. After each treatment period, the participants rotated groups so that they were able to try each device.

The researchers recorded medication use and measured pain, disability and joint stiffness based on the WOMAC® Osteoarthritis Index. The McGill Pain Questionnaire-Pain Rating Index (PRI) and a pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were also administered to further assess pain.

The authors found that magnetic and copper bracelets did not significantly affect pain, stiffness or disability associated with osteoarthritis.

For more information about magnet therapy or copper, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness and Foods, Herbs & Supplements databases.

Comments

[Grace Caulfield]

They only wore the copper bracelet for four weeks. This may not be a sufficient amount of time to really see any benefit from this.

[M. F. Berman]

The use of magnetic therapy may proov useful if the magnetic field between the north and south poles are increased significantly by using the neobydium type ceramic material magnets with magnetic fields greater than one tesla. It is assumed that by placing a number of north and south magnetic poles opposite to each other across a given joint at a high enough tesla value, electrolytes (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium ions) may be forced into motion to allow greater blood flow to migrate into the inflamed joint area, allowing the healing process to take place at a more rapid pace.

[Mir]

The opposite was reported by an earlier study {Harlow, 2005, 15604181}, in which participants wore standard-strength magnetic bracelets, a weak magnetic bracelets or non-magnetic bracelets for 12 weeks. WOMAC A scale was a primary outcome measure and was used to analyze pain results.

At the end of the study, their mean pain results were improved in the standard-magnetic group compared to the placebo (non-magnetic). However, it was not determined whether the decrease in pain was produced by the magnetic bracelet or some other (placebo) effect.

Therefore, if this is the last resort for a patient, and they feel that it is helping, I would not discourage the use of either kind of bracelet just for the sake of science, especially since there are no negative consequences from wearing them.

[DF]

The abstract for the study does not say if the participants had arthritis specifically in the wrist or if they just had arthritis anywhere in the body. I would imagine that the magnetic wrist straps or copper bracelets would have a greater chance of working if they were closer to the affected areas of the body.

[flaxseed oil]

I was not aware of this information, and this is the best way to spread information among people. Arthritis is a chronic disease that can stay with you for a long time, possibly for the rest of your life.

Your treatments will probably change over time and medication may be adjusted. Having a positive mental outlook and the support of family and friends will help you live with arthritis and be able to continue to perform your daily activities.Keep posting such information. Thanks!

[DF]

I agree with the comment above about the importance of “a positive mental outlook and the support of family and friends.” The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Osteoarthritis has a lot of useful information about coping strategies.

[debbie j.]

According to the Natural Standard database, acupuncture, glucosamine, chondroitin and willow bark have a grade A for treatment of arthritis. Grade A means there is strong scientific evidence to support it. So, although it may be disappointing that copper and magnet bracelets were shown to be ineffective, there are still other great integrative therapies we can use!

[kris]

I remember my grandparents trying this out for their arthritis when I was a kid, and they seemed to be happy with the results. I want to know why the study was designed so that the participants only wore the bracelets for 4 weeks and not longer? Also, was there any kind of placebo affect involved?

With arthritis being such a debilitating disease, even if the patients think this could be helping them and they feel some benefit from thinking that, then I don't see the harm in wearing magnetic bracelets. Are there any side effects from wearing magnets for an extended period of time?

[Luba]

For chronic disease states, such as arthritis, a 16-week trial is not long enough to truly see the effects of the treatment. The trial should last at least 1 year, preferably longer. Although I am pretty skeptical of the efficacy of copper bracelets and magnets in the treatment of arthritis, it would be nice to see a longer trial run of these 2 treatment modalities.

[rsamd]

I’m very unfamiliar with the use of magnet or copper bracelets for osteoarthris. What is the proposed mechanism to improving symptoms? I wonder if the rotation of groups had anything to do with the results. If they had maintained on the original bracelet, would the results be any different, or is a 4-week period the normal length of treatment with these types of therapies?