Health technology assessment of magnet therapy for relieving pain

Effect of static magnetic field therapy on diabetic neuropathy and quality of life: a double-blind, randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can cause annoying symptoms. To address this condition, several treatment approaches have been proposed, including static magnetic field (SMF) therapy, which has shown promise in treating neurological conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of SMF therapy on symptomatic DPN and the quality of life (QoL) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from April to October 2021. Sixty-four DPN patients (20 males, 44 females) were recruited for the study via invitation. The participants were divided into two groups: the magnet group, which used magnetic ankle bracelets (155 mT) for 12 weeks, and the sham group, which used non-magnetic ankle bracelets for the same duration. Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS), Neuropathic Disability Score (NDS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess neuropathy symptoms and pain. In addition, the Neuropathy Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (Neuro-QoL) tool was used to measure the patients' quality of life.

RESULTS

Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the magnet and sham groups in terms of the NSS scores (P = 0.50), NDS scores (P = 0.74), VAS scores (P = 0.17), and Neuro-QoL scores (P = 0.82). However, after 12 weeks of treatment, the SMF exposure group showed a significant reduction in NSS scores (P < 0.001), NDS scores (P < 0.001), VAS scores (P < 0.001), and Neuro-QoL scores (P < 0.001) compared to the baseline. The changes in the sham group, on the other hand, were not significant.

CONCLUSION

According to obtained data, SMF therapy is recommended as an easy-to-use and drug-free method for reducing DPN symptoms and improving QoL in diabetic type-2 patients. Trial registration Registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20210315050706N1, 2021/03/16.

Study the effect of static magnetic field intensity on drug delivery by magnetic nanoparticles

Employing the magnets in therapy has a long history of treating diseases, and currently new applications such as drug delivery by magnetic nanoparticles are gaining more attention. This research tried to study the effect of static magnetic field intensity on drug delivery by magnetic nanoparticles carrying thrombolytic agents. In this research, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles carrying streptokinase were applied. The efficiency of thrombolysis and micro-CT-scan images are utilized to study the effect of different magnetic fields (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 T) on thrombolysis. The results confirm that increasing the static magnetic field intensity accelerated the thrombolysis. Increasing the intensity of the magnetic field from 0.1 to 0.3 T leads to an increase in clot dissolution rate from 55 to 89%, respectively. Moreover, micro-CT-scan images revealed that magnetic nanoparticles carrying a thrombolytic agent penetrated deeper into the mesh-like structure of clot as the magnetic field intensities increased, which could lead to further dissolution of the clot.