{
    "abstract": "Background Based on prior reports of the use of magnets to treat\u00a0pain, our goal was to determine if a concentric rare-earth alternating-pole magnet reduced period pain versus a sham-magnet.\u00a0 Methods Participants were females (N=36, 18 to 35 years) who regularly experienced menstrual period pain \u2265 six on the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) of 0-10. Subjects were excluded if they took pain medication on the study day or had implanted pacemakers/metallic devices or secondary dysmenorrhea. Participants were randomized to wear a concentric neodymium-iron boron active-magnet (surface-field of 0.4 Tesla) or a sham magnet. The participant and investigator applying the device were blinded to the device used. The device was placed at the abdominal location of the reported greatest pain for 40-minutes, during which time the subject was able to conduct the normal activity. Pain scores were reported prior to device wearing and afterward. Participants with post-treatment NPRS ratings reduced by \u2265 35% from their pretreatment pain ratings were scored as having reduced pain; reductions < 35% were scored as no meaningful pain change. The threshold of 35% was chosen based on a survey of 10 women as to the level of pain reduction they viewed as meaningful to them. Of the 36 women in this pilot study, 19 wore an active-magnet and 17 wore a sham-magnet. Analyses were based on chi-square and Mann-Whitney statistical tests. Results\u00a0 Pre-treatment pain scores (mean \u00b1 SD) were similar for both groups. Magnet-vs-sham pre-treatment scores were, respectively, 7.16 \u00b1 0.85 vs. 6.94 \u00b1 1.20 (p=0.330). Corresponding median values for the magnet (N=19) and sham (N=17) groups respectively were seven pre-treatment and four post-treatment vs. six pre-treatment and six post-treatment. Post-treatment scores for magnet treated subjects (4.16 \u00b1 2.20) were significantly less (p=0.027) than for sham-treated (5.53 \u00b1 1.50). Of the 19 who wore a magnet, 11 experienced meaningful pain-reduction, and eight did not. Of the 17 who wore a sham, three experienced meaningful pain-reduction, and 14 did not. Magnet and sham wearing responses were statistically significant via chi-square analysis (chi-square=6.12, p=0.013). Percentage reduction in pain score was 41.8% \u00b1 31.1% for magnet-treated vs. 20.8% \u00b1 16.1%, for sham-treated (p<0.05). Conclusions Results suggest that short-term wearing of the magnet herein investigated, produces a meaningful menstrual-pain reduction in some women. Thus, further expanded research seems warranted to determine if longer wearing times result in even greater pain reductions.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Medical Education, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.",
            "firstname": "Harvey",
            "initials": "H",
            "lastname": "Mayrovitz"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Internal Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.",
            "firstname": "Brittany",
            "initials": "B",
            "lastname": "Milo"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Internal Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.",
            "firstname": "Brooke",
            "initials": "B",
            "lastname": "Alexander"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Internal Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.",
            "firstname": "Marisa",
            "initials": "M",
            "lastname": "Mastropasqua"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Internal Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.",
            "firstname": "Yashaswani",
            "initials": "Y",
            "lastname": "Moparthi"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": null,
    "copyrights": "Copyright \u00a9 2021, Mayrovitz et al.",
    "doi": "10.7759/cureus.12801",
    "journal": "Cureus",
    "keywords": [
        "dysmenorrhea",
        "magnetic therapy",
        "menstrual pain",
        "period-pain",
        "static magnetic field"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2021-02-26",
    "pubmed_id": "33628670\n12501067\n22288770\n23627714\n9365349\n22151860\n27770441\n28475205\n15992236\n17618081\n23675615\n21439302\n15797257\n11568935\n16131292\n24284871\n28625286\n28888592\n24393558\n17519258\n18585071\n17242082\n16178493\n13129987\n15794794\n29127072\n11927062\n19821293\n1437913\n24856936\n30654775",
    "results": null,
    "title": "Effects of a Concentric Rare-Earth Magnet on Menstrual Cycle Pain: A Parallel Group Randomized Pilot Study.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788502bc5ad0>"
}