Author/Authors :
Arabloo, Jalal Department of Health Management and Economics - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Hamouzadeh, Pejman Department of Health Management and Economics - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Eftekharizadeh, Fereshteh Health Management and Economics Research Centre - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Mobinizadeh, Mohammadreza National Institute for Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Olyaeemanesh, Alireza National Institute for Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Nejati, Mina Standard and Tariff Office - Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran , Doaee, Shila Standard and Tariff Office - Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Magnet therapy has been used increasingly as a new method to alleviate pain. Magnetic products are marketed with
claims of effectiveness for reducing pain of various origins. However, there are inconsistent results from a limited number of randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) testing the analgesic efficacy of magnet therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness
of magnet therapy on reliving various types of pain.
Methods: A systematic search of two main medical databases (Cochrane Library and Ovid Medline) was conducted from 1946 to
May 2014. Only English systematic reviews that compared magnet therapy with other conventional treatments in patients with local
pain in terms of pain relieving measures were included. The results of the included studies were thematically synthesized.
Results: Eight studies were included. Magnet therapy could be used to alleviate pain of various origins including pain in various
organs, arthritis, myofascial muscle pain, lower limb muscle cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome and pelvic pain. Results showed that the
effectiveness of magnetic therapy was only approved in muscle pains, but its effectiveness in other indications and its application as a
complementary treatment have not been established.
Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that magnet therapy could not be an effective treatment for relieving different types of
pain. Our results highlighted the need for further investigations to be done in order to support any recommendations about this technology.
