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Health Technology Assessment of Magnet Therapy for Relieving Pain Publisher



Arabloo J1 ; Hamouzadeh P2 ; Eftekharizadeh F3 ; Mobinizadeh M4 ; Olyaeemanesh A4 ; Nejati M5 ; Doaee S5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Health Management and Economics Research Centre, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. National Institute for Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Standard and Tariff Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

Source: Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran Published:2017


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. © Iran University of Medical Sciences.