Magnet Therapy: A Skeptical View

[Guest guest]

Magnet Therapy: A Skeptical View

This article was revised on June 29, 2008.

by Barrett, M.D.

http://www.quackwatch.com/04ConsumerEducation/QA/magnet.html

Magnetic devices are claimed to relieve pain and to have therapeutic

value against a large number of diseases and conditions. The way to

evaluate such claims is to ask whether scientific studies have been

published. Pulsed electromagnetic fields—which induce measurable

electric fields —have been demonstrated effective for treating slow-

healing fractures and have shown promise for a few other conditions.

Relatively few studies have been published on the effect on pain of

small, static magnets marketed to consumers [1]. Explanations that

magnetic fields " increase circulation, " " reduce inflammation, "

or " speed recovery from injuries " are simplistic and are not

supported by the weight of experimental evidence [2].

Research Findings

The main basis for pain-reduction claims studies are two double-blind

studies, one conducted at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston,

which dealt with knee pain, and the other conducted at 27 sites,

which tested the effects on diabetic neuropathy, a degenerative

condition that produces pain and burning of the feet. Both of these

studies had significant flaws in their design. Better studies have

found no significant benefit.

The Baylor study compared the effects of magnets and sham magnets on

knee pain. The study involved 50 adult patients with pain related to

having been infected with the polio virus when they were children. A

static magnetic device or a placebo device was applied to the

patient's skin for 45 minutes. The patients were asked to rate how

much pain they experienced when a " trigger point was touched. " The

researchers reported that the 29 patients exposed to the magnetic

device achieved lower pain scores than did the 21 who were exposed to

the placebo device [3} This study provides no legitimate basis for

concluding that magnets offer any health-related benefit:

Although the groups were said to be selected randomly, the ratio of

women to men in the experimental group was twice that of the control

group. If women happen to be more responsive to placebos than men, a

surplus of women in the " treatment " group would tend to improve that

group's score.

The age of the placebo group was four years higher than that of the

control group. If advanced age makes a person more difficult to

treat, the " treatment " group would again have a scoring advantage.

The investigators did not measure the exact pressure exerted by the

blunt object at the trigger point before and after the study.

Even if the above considerations have no significance, the study

should not be extrapolated to suggest that other types of pain can be

relieved by magnets.

There was just one brief exposure and no systematic follow-up of

patients. Thus there was no way to tell whether any improvement would

be more than temporary.

The authors themselves acknowledged that the study was a " pilot

study. " Pilot studies are done to determine whether it makes sense to

invest in a larger more definitive study. They never provide a

legitimate basis for marketing any product as effective against any

symptom or health problem.

The multicenter study, headed by Weintraub, M.D., of New York

Medical College, involved 48 investigators in 27 states. Of 375

subjects with diabetic neuropathy who were randomly assigned to wear

magnetized insoles or placebo (nonmagnetic) devices for 4 months, 259

completed the study. The authors concluded that there were

statistically significant reductions during the third and fourth

months in burning; numbness and tingling; and exercise-induced foot

pain [4]. However, they noted that despite statistical improvement in

pain and quality-of-life scores, there was only " modest clinical

benefit. " There are also good reasons to challenge the statistical

analysis that underlies their conclusions:

The main outcome table listed 4 sets of average group measurements

taken at one-month intervals, which produced 20 possible endpoints.

Symptom severity in both treatment and placebo groups gradually

lessen, but there is little month-to-month variation. At each

endpoint, the average results in both looked similar, but the

standard deviations were large. By breaking the data into subgroups,

the authors were able to declare that certain ones were significant.

However, with many endpoints and widely scattered data, differences

between some endpoints are likely to occur by chance alone. The most

favorable differences can then be chosen to suggest significance when

none exists.

At least three well-designed pain studies have been negative:

Researchers at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine have

reported negative results in a study of patients with heel pain. Over

a 4-week period, 19 patients wore a molded insole containing a

magnetic foil, while 15 patients wore the same type of insole with no

magnetic foil. In both groups, 60% reported improvement, which

suggested that the magnetic foil conveyed no benefit [5].

Researchers at the VA Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona conducted a

randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

involving 20 patients with chronic back pain. Each patient was

exposed to real and sham bipolar permanent magnets during alternate

weeks, for 6 hours per day, 3 days per week for a week, with a 1-week

period between the treatment weeks. No difference in pain or mobility

was found between the treatment and sham-treatment periods [6].

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic compared the effects of wearing

magnetic or sham-magnetic cushioned insoles over an 8-week period by

101 people with heel pain and found no difference between the

treatment and control groups [7].

Magnets have also been claimed to increase circulation. This claim is

false. If it were true, placing a magnet on the skin would make the

area under the magnet become red, which it does not. Moreover, a well-

designed study that actually measured blood flow has found no

increase. The study involved 12 healthy volunteers who were exposed

to either a 1000-gauss magnetic disk or an identically appearing disk

that was not magnetic. No change in the amount or speed of blood flow

was observed when either disk was applied to their arm. [8]. The

magnets were manufactured by Magnetherapy, Inc, of Riviera Beach,

Florida, a company that has been subjected to two regulatory actions.

Legal and Regulatory Actions

In 1998, Magnetherapy, Inc., signed an Assurance of Voluntary

Compliance with the State of Texas to pay a $30,000 penalty and to

stop claiming that wearing its magnetic device near areas of pain and

inflammation will relieve pain due to arthritis, migraine headaches,

sciatica or heel spurs. The agreement also requires Magnetherapy to

stop making claims that its magnets can cure, treat, or mitigate any

disease or can affect any change in the human body, unless its

devices are FDA-approved for those purposes [9]. Ads for the

company's Tectonic Magnets had featured testimonials from athletes,

including golfers from the senior pro tours. Various ads had claimed

that Tectonic Magnets would provide symptomatic relief from certain

painful conditions and could restore range of motion to muscles and

joints. The company had provided retailers with display packages that

included health claims, written testimonials, and posters of sports

stars. Texas Attorney General Dan Morales stated that some claims

were false or unsubstantiated and others had rendered the product

unapproved medical devices under Texas law. In 1997, the FDA had

warned Magnetherapy to stop claiming that its products would relieve

arthritis; tennis elbow; low back pain; sciatica; migraine headache;

muscle soreness; neck, knee, ankle, and shoulder pain; heel spurs;

bunions; arthritic fingers and toes; and could reduce pain and

inflammation in the affected areas by increasing blood and oxygen

flow [10].

In 1999, the FTC obtained a consent agreement barring two companies

from making unsubstantiated claims about their magnetic products.

Magnetic Therapeutic Technologies, of Irving, Texas, is barred from

claiming that its magnetic sleep pads or other products: (a) are

effective against cancers, diabetic ulcers, arthritis, degenerative

joint conditions, or high blood pressure; ( could stabilize or

increase the T-cell count of HIV patients; © could reduce muscle

spasms in persons with multiple sclerosis; (d) could reduce nerve

spasms associated with diabetic neuropathy; (e) could increase bone

density, immunity, or circulation; or (f) are comparable or superior

to prescription pain medicine. Pain Stops Here! Inc., of Baiting

Hollow, N.Y., may no longer claim that its " magnetized water " or

other products are useful against cancer, diseases of the liver or

other internal organs, gallstones, kidney stones, urinary infection,

gastric ulcers, dysentery, diarrhea, skin ulcers, bed sores,

arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, sprains, strains, sciatica, heart

disease, circulatory disease, arthritis, auto-immune illness, neuro-

degenerative disease, and allergies, and could stimulate the growth

of plants.

On August 8, 2000, the Consumer Justice Center, of Laguna Niguel,

California filed suit in Orange County Superior Court charging that

Florsheim and a local shoe store (Shoe Emporium) made false and

fraudulent claims that their MagneForce shoes (a) correct " magnetic

deficiency, " ( " generate a deep-penetrating magnetic field which

increases blood circulation; reduces leg and back fatigue; and

provides natural pain relief and improved energy level. " ; and ©

their claims are established and proven by scientific studies [11]. A

few days after this suit was filed, Florsheim removed the disputed ad

from its Web site.

In 2001, Markoll, his wife Ernestine, H. Trock, M.D.,

and Bio-Magnetic Treatment Systems (BMTS) pled guilty to criminal

charges in connection with a scheme involving pulsed magnetic

therapy. The participants used fraudulent billing codes to seek

payment from Medicare and three other insurance plans for treatment

with a device (Electro-Magnetic Induction Treatment System, Model

30/30) that lacked FDA approval [12]. The treatments—called pulsed

signal therapy (PST)—were administered in a clinical trial on an

investigational basis not approved by the FDA. The Markolls were

sentenced to 3 years probation, a $4,000 fine and a $100 special

assessment. Ernestine Markoll was sentenced to 2 years probation, a

$1,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. Magnetic Therapy, was

sentenced to a 1-day summary probation and a $200 special assessment.

The Markolls also signed a civil settlement under which they agreed

to pay the U.S Government $4 million [13]. The device was invented by

Markoll, MD, PhD, who does not have a medical license but is

described in Web site biographies as a graduate of Grace University

School of Medicine, a Caribbean medical school. Trock, a former

principal investigator for Magnetic Therapy Center, PC, Danbury, CT,

was sentenced to 6 months probation. and ordered to make restitution

of $35,250 [14]. Trock has co-authored studies claiming that PST is

effective for treating pain, but the device is not FDA-approved for

that purpose.

In September 2002, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer charged

Florida-based European Health Concepts, Inc. (EHC) with making false

and misleading claims about its magnetic mattress pads and seat

cushions. The complaint, filed in Sacramento Superior Court, also

named EHC president Todd and several sales managers and agents

as defendants. The suit seeks more than $1 million in civil penalties

for engaging in unfair business practices and making false claims;

$500,000 in civil penalties for transactions involving senior

citizens; and full restitution for purchasers of the products. The

complaint alleged that prospective customers, primarily senior

citizens, were invited to attend a free dinner seminar at which they

were told that EHC's products could help people suffering from

fibromyalgia, lupus, sciatica, herniated discs, asthma, bronchitis,

cataracts, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, diverticulitis, heart

disease, multiple sclerosis, and more than 50 other health

conditions. The sales agents offered phony price discounts for

immediate purchases that actually were the company's regular prices.

[15].

A recent press report indicates that Thorsten Wietschel, who markets

magnetic matresses through local gatherings, had two brushes with the

law in the United States and is now pitching them in Canada. The

report states that (a) was charged with grand theft in California but

not prosecuted because he left the state, and ( a civil action in

Arizona resulted in a court order to repay $150,000 to buyers and pay

$2 million in penalties [16].

The Bottom Line

There is no scientific basis to conclude that small, static magnets

can relieve pain or influence the course of any disease. In fact,

many of today's products produce no significant magnetic field at or

beneath the skin's surface.

References

Livingston JD. Magnetic therapy: Plausible attraction. Skeptical

Inquirer 25-30, 58, 1998.

Ramey DW. Magnetic and electromagnetic therapy. Scientific Review of

Alternative Medicine 2(1):13-19, 1998.

Vallbona C, Hazelwood CF, Jurida G. Response of pain to static

magnetic fields in postpolio patients: A double-blind pilot study.

Archives of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine 78:1200-1203, 1997.

Weintraub MI. Static magnetic field therapy for symptomatic diabetic

neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 84:736-746, 2003.

Caselli MA and others. Evaluation of magnetic foil and PPT Insoles in

the treatment of heel pain. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical

Association 87:11-16, 1997.

Collacott EA and others. Bipolar permanent magnets for the treatment

of chronic low back pain. JAMA 283:1322-1325, 2000.

Winemiller MH and others. Effect of magnetic vs sham-magnetic insoles

on plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 290:1474-

1478, 2003.

Mayrovitz HN and others. Assessment of the short-term effects of a

permanent magnet on normal skin blood circulation via laser-Doppler

flowmetry. Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine 6(1):9-12, 2002.

Morales halts unproven claims for magnet therapy. News release, April

9, 1998.

Gill LJ. Letter to L. Roper, Feb 3, 1997.

Jeff Wynton and the Consumer Justice Center v. Florsheim Group, Inc.,

Shoe Emporium. Superior Court of California, Orange County, Case

#00CC09419, filed Aug 8, 2000.

Burns EB. Omnibus ruling on defendants' motion to strike and motions

to dismiss. United States of America v Markoll, Ernestine

Binder Markoll, and Bio-Magnetic Systems, Inc. U.S. District Court,

District of Connecticut, No. 3:00cr133(EBB), Jan 2001.

Defense Criminal Investigative Service press release, Aug, 2001.

Defense Criminal Investigative Service press release, June, 2001.

Barrett S. California Attorney General sues magnetic mattress pad

sellers. Quackwatch, Sept 24, 2002.

Caldwell B. 'Something doesn't seem right.' After running afoul of

consumer laws in the U.S., Thorsten Wietschel has come north to sell

magnetic mattress covers. The Record, Jan 26, 2008.

Reader Response

From Gessell, a design engineer from Oakland, California:

I recently was introduced to the bizarre concept that magnetic

insoles can promote health and relieve pain. The seller promised

improved circulation, reduced pain, better oxygen uptake, weight

loss, and more or less any other positive benefit that could be

imagined or requested. The mechanism presented was: Humans evolved

(or were created, for those residents of Kansas) in the presence of

the Earth's magnetic fields. These fields are blocked by concrete and

pavement and other human structures. In the supposed absence of these

fields the body in some way suffers. A friend had purchased magnetic

insoles at an approximate cost of $100. She returned them after I

explained that:

Magnetic fields are not blocked by concrete (unless it is steel-

reinforced). Any place a compass works, the earth's magnetic fields

are present. Blood is not magnetic. If it were, one's body would

explode in an MRI machine. DC magnetic fields have no known effect at

on the human body at levels strong enough to bend steel bars as

commonly experienced by magnet and fusion researchers. These

individuals are exposed to magnetic field strengths 6 to 10 orders of

magnitude greater than that created by the rubberized magnetic

insoles, without becoming either more or less healthful.

[Guest guest]

Rabble rouser !! , Always stirring the pot?

>

> Magnet Therapy: A Skeptical View

>

> This article was revised on June 29, 2008. (snip)

[Guest guest]

You can see that I didn't even read this report.

I have LOTS of experience with things working for me that 'regular medicine' thinks can't be so.

They think homeopathy can't work, because it is diluted well beyond their being hardly an atom of the original sustance left.

BUT what 'regular medicine' doesn't know (yet) is that there is MORE, way more.

I call it 'energy medicine', and boy does it work well for me, just about all of them I have tried -- including prescribed frequencies (sound...

And I do seem to react big time to magnets too -- but haven't spent the energy/time to figure best way

-- eg long ago at a holistic veterinarian presentation, there was a huge and powerful magnet.

At the time, I was really wiped out by who knows what.

We were invited to come forward and check out the magnet.

I went up, and WHOOSH, I could feel the energy come into me, at which time I felt MUCH better.

We told the vet what had happened, and he (of course) pooh poohed us.

Then he checked out the monster magnet, and it was dead, just a piece of metal or whatever.

OH dear.

Anyhow I just sort of assume that nowadays at least, 'scientists' in this country are going to 'prove' that what makes me well, or at least better, canNOT do so.

which proves the first thing I learned in philosophy, that everyone starts with a point of view, and that we tend to 'prove' what we believe.

what, me on a soapbox??? nah....

'til anon, gotta get back to apartment downsizing and rent recertification stuff groan

Jean

From: angelbear1129@...

Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 11:33 PM

Subject: Magnet Therapy: A Skeptical View

Click here: Magnet Therapy: A Skeptical View

http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/QA/magnet.html

"When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate."

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