Researchers said today that magnetic bracelets worn by many for their supposed health benefits do reduce the pain of osteoarthritis.
The study focused on 194 patients, aged 45 to 80, who had osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The group were either given a standard strength magnetic bracelet, a weak magnetic bracelet or a non-magnetic, dummy bracelet.
The researchers, from the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, found pain was significantly reduced in the patients wearing the standard magnetic bracelet compared to the dummy one.
There was little difference between the weak magnet group and those wearing the dummy magnets after 12 weeks of the study.
But the researchers, writing in the British Medical Journal, said they cannot be certain whether the results show a specific effect of magnets, a placebo effect or both.
They said the benefits were in addition to existing treatments and that these should not be stopped without the patient speaking to a doctor.
PA