Orthopedic & Muscular System: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Analgesic Effect of Textile Supports with Static Field Magnets in Patients with Osteoarticular Pain Syndrome: Results of a Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Double Blind Clinical Trial

Gaetano Topa, Mariano Ventra, Giovanni Dato and Catello Matonti

In a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, longitudinal, clinical trial we investigated the analgesic effect of static field magneto therapy on pain perception and sleep quality in 48 patients with osteoarticular pain syndrome (35% with osteoporosis). The evaluation of pain perception and sleep quality was assessed at baseline, 2 and 4 months. Twenty-four patients were randomized to the active arm (textile supports with magnets) and 24 patients to the control arm (textile supports without magnets). During the study period, pain perception (visual rating scale) reduced in the active arm (baseline: median 55; 2 months: 40; 4 months: 35, P<0.001) whereas it remained unchanged in the control arm (baseline: 58; 2 months: 58; 4 months: 60). Similarly, pain perception (verbal rating scale) decreased in the active group (baseline: 3; 2 months: 2; 4 months: 2, P<0.001) while it remained stable in the control group (baseline: 3; 2 months: 3; 4 months: 3). The analysis of sleep quality data provided similar results. No side effects were observed during the study. The use of textile supports incorporating static field’s magnets is associated with a significant reduction in the pain perception and with an improvement of sleep quality in patients with osteoarticular pain syndrome.