Static magnetic field therapy: a critical review of treatment parameters.

Abstract

Static magnetic field (SMF) therapy, applied via a permanent magnet attached to the skin, is used by people worldwide for self-care. Despite a lack of established SMF dosage and treatment regimens, multiple studies are conducted to evaluate SMF therapy effectiveness. Our objectives in conducting this review are to:(i) summarize SMF research conducted in humans; (ii) critically evaluate reporting quality of SMF dosages and treatment parameters and (iii) propose a set of criteria for reporting SMF treatment parameters in future clinical trials. We searched 27 electronic databases and reference lists. Only English language human studies were included. Excluded were studies of electromagnetic fields, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnets placed on acupuncture points, animal studies, abstracts, posters and editorials. Data were extracted on clinical indication, study design and 10 essential SMF parameters. Three reviewers assessed quality of reporting and calculated a quality assessment score for each of the 10 treatment parameters. Fifty-six studies were reviewed, 42 conducted in patient populations and 14 in healthy volunteers. The SMF treatment parameters most often and most completely described were site of application, magnet support device and frequency and duration of application. Least often and least completely described were characteristics of the SMF: magnet dimensions, measured field strength and estimated distance of the magnet from the target tissue. Thirty-four (61%) of studies failed to provide enough detail about SMF dosage to permit protocol replication by other investigators. Our findings highlight the need to optimize SMF dosing parameters for individual clinical conditions before proceeding to a full-scale clinical trial.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This critical review of 56 English-language human studies found that key static magnetic field (SMF) treatment parameters were often incompletely reported. Site of application, magnet support device, and frequency/duration of application were most often described, while magnet dimensions, measured field strength, and estimated distance from target tissue were least often described. Thirty-four studies (61%) did not provide enough SMF dosage detail to allow replication.

Outcomes measured

• Reporting quality of SMF dosages and treatment parameters
• Completeness of SMF dosage/parameter reporting sufficient for protocol replication

Limitations

• Only English-language human studies were included
• Excluded several related modalities (electromagnetic fields, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnets on acupuncture points) and non-full publications (abstracts, posters, editorials)

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "static",
        "source": "permanent magnet attached to the skin",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Humans (patient populations and healthy volunteers)",
    "sample_size": 56,
    "outcomes": [
        "Reporting quality of SMF dosages and treatment parameters",
        "Completeness of SMF dosage/parameter reporting sufficient for protocol replication"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This critical review of 56 English-language human studies found that key static magnetic field (SMF) treatment parameters were often incompletely reported. Site of application, magnet support device, and frequency/duration of application were most often described, while magnet dimensions, measured field strength, and estimated distance from target tissue were least often described. Thirty-four studies (61%) did not provide enough SMF dosage detail to allow replication.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Only English-language human studies were included",
        "Excluded several related modalities (electromagnetic fields, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnets on acupuncture points) and non-full publications (abstracts, posters, editorials)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "static magnetic field",
        "SMF therapy",
        "permanent magnets",
        "dosage",
        "treatment parameters",
        "reporting quality",
        "clinical trials",
        "replication"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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