Efficacy of static magnetic field therapy in chronic pelvic pain: A double-blind pilot study

Brown, Candace S. PharmD
Ling, Frank W. MD
Wan, Jim Y. PhD
Pilla, Arthur A. PhD

Memphis, Tenn, and New York, NY
From the Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacoeconomics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry,^a the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,^b and the Department of Preventive Medicine,^c University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, and the Department of Orthopaedics, Mt Sinai School of Medicine.^d

Supported by the University of Tennessee Center for Women's Health Improvement and BIOflex Medical Magnets.

Presented at the Forty-eighth Annual Meeting of the American College of Obstetrician Gynecologists, May 2000.

Received for publication January 24, 2002;

revised April 29, 2002;

accepted June 26, 2002.

Reprint requests: Candace Brown, PharmD, 9685 US Highway 70, Lakeland, TN 38002.

E-mail: [email protected]

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 187(6):p 1581-1587, December 2002.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of static magnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) by measuring changes in pain relief and disability.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-two patients with CPP completed 2 weeks and 19 patients completed 4 weeks of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled treatment at a gynecology clinic. Active (500 G) or placebo magnets were applied to abdominal trigger points for 24 hour per day. The McGill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale were outcome measures.

RESULTS

Patients receiving active magnets who completed 4 weeks of double-blind treatment had significantly lower Pain Disability Index (P < .05), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (P < .05), and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (P < .01) scores than those receiving placebo magnets, but were more likely to correctly identify their treatment (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

SMF therapy significantly improves disability and may reduce pain when active magnets are worn continuously for 4 weeks in patients with CPP, but blinding efficacy is compromised. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1581-7.)