You’ve seen them on display at health food stores and jewelry shops. You’ve read anecdotal testimonials like: “The best copper magnetic bracelet I’ve ever had!” You can order them online from thousands of commercial sellers.

But researchers from the U.K. have shown in the first randomized placebo-controlled trial that, no matter what claims their sellers may make, these metallic objects are in fact ineffective in treating pain. They say that any benefit derived from them can be attributed to psychological placebo effects.  ”Our findings suggest that such devices have no real advantage over placebo wrist straps that are not magnetic and do not contain copper,” says Dr. Stewart Richmond of the University of York, the lead author of the study, published in the current issue of the journal, Complementary Therapies In Medicine.

However, Dr. Richmond emphasizes that although these products don’t necessarily cause harm, people should be careful about spending a lot of money on products that claim to cure your ailments with magnetic therapy.

What is a randomized placebo-controlled trial anyway?  Continue reading →