The effectiveness of magnet therapy for treatment of wrist pain attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

We conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in which 30 patients with pain attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome had either a 1000 gauss magnet or a placebo metal disk applied to the carpal tunnel area using a Velcro wrap for a period of 45 minutes. Pain was measured on a visual analogue scale using 0 and 10 as anchors. Presenting symptoms including numbness, tingling, burning, and pain did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. There was significant pain reduction across the 45-minute period for both groups. However, t test comparisons found no significant differences between the groups for beginning pain, pain at 15 minutes, pain at 30 minutes, or pain at 45 minutes. The use of a magnet for reducing pain attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome was no more effective than use of the placebo device.