Table 8

Characteristics of included trials of static magnets for pain relief in patients with knee osteoarthritis

First author, publication year

Type

No. of patients on active therapy (n = 86)

Method quality

Treatment period (weeks)

Mean baseline pain (mm VAS)

Best mean difference (95% CI) of change over placebo (mm VAS)

Outcome assessment timepoints (weeks, best time point used in bold)

Hinman-02

Static magnets on knee"

22

4

2

38.8

8.6 (1.4 to 15.4)

2

Harlow-04

Static magnets on wrist (bracelet)

64

5

12

66.8

1.7 (-5.2 to 8.6)

4, 12

Best within 4 weeks

86

5.1 (0.2 to 10.0)

12 weeks

64

6.5 (-0.6 to 13.6)

Total

86

3.8*

54.7†

4

*Mean † Weighted mean

Bjordal et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2007 8:51   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-8-51