Clinical Trial on Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee

In 2004, in Devon, a group of doctors and scientists conducted an independent, scientifically peer reviewed clinical trial that concludes that unique Bioflow® magnetic bracelets do reduce pain in osteoarthritis. The two year trial was sponsored by the Arthritis Research Campaign and the results were published in the British Medical Journal in December 2004.

The BMJ insist on a high level of integrity in any trial they publish and this is the first peer reviewed trial in the world, directly relating to specialist static magnets in relation to pain relief. The Bioflow magnet uses a unique pattern of magnetism that ensures the body is subjected to a varying magnetic field, simulating that produced by hospital magnotherapy units.

Bioflow is patented and no similar device exists, the magnetic field created, called Central Reverse Polarity is also unique and this descriptive term is trademarked in Europe.

The doctors decided to run the trial after hearing patient reports of pain relief from wearing the Bioflow magnets. The scientifically peer reviewed trial set out to establish whether or not there is indeed benefit beyond the placebo effect from using the special magnets for pain relief. It also sought to address problems and shortfalls that had been encountered during earlier inconclusive research into the use of magnotherapy.

Dr Tim Harlow who led the Mid Devon trial said: “Our results did show benefit to patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.” He went on to stress: “It seems that not all magnets are the same in this context and we can only comment on the particular bracelets we studied. Of course nothing will work for everyone with arthritis but this result is encouraging for sufferers and these magnets do seem worth trying. The benefits seem to be additional to the effects of painkillers.” But he cautioned: “People should not suddenly stop their existing treatments without discussing it with their doctor.”

Between December 2001 and December 2003, 194 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, were recruited from 5 general practices in Devon. Eligible participants had to score 8-20 points on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index.

1) Standard neodymium magnets set in a steel backing cup, with the open side facing the ventral wrist, creating a fluctuating magnetic pattern across the bracelet. The field strength at the wrist contact surface was 170-200 mTesla.

2) Weak magnets with no backing plate. The field was strong enough to seem magnetic on testing (21-30 mTesla), but previous research suggests this is insufficient to be therapeutic. This was intended to provide an undetectable placebo.

3) Non-magnetic steel washers.

Here, in brief, are the conclusions. To see the full report, Click Here.

What is already known on this topic?

• Static magnets are widely used for the relief of pain.
• Evidence about their efficacy in osteoarthritis is contradictory.
• Placebo effects are particularly difficult to control because of the easy detection of magnetism.

What this study adds:

• Bracelets with static magnets decrease the pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, over and above the effects of placebo.
• These benefits are supplementary to those from usual treatments.
• The magnetic strength of the bracelet is important.