Magnets and the Repetitive Stress Injury

For various reasons, the use of alternative medicine is growing. One of this type of therapy that is, of late, growing in popularity is the use of therapeutic magnets. Often, magnets are marketed to people who have Repetitive-Stress Injury (RSI). Repetitive Stress Injury is a chronic hand or wrist pain. A common source of RSI is excessive use of computer.

Though, there are so many testimonials scattered across the internet about the efficacy and success of magnests to treat RSI, it has always been controversial.

However, psychologists Pope and McNally finished all controversy related to the use of magnets to treat RSI in a path breaking research.

In this research, they randomly assigned students with RSI to one of three groups. One group was asked to wear wristband with genuine magnets. Second group was also told to wear identical wristband without magnets. However, in this case neither students and assistants were aware of the fact that there is not any magnet in their wristbands. They were told that their wristband is also equipped with magnet which can treat their RSI. Third group was not told to wear any wristband and magnet.

The use of the wristband shorn of magnets is called ‘Placebo Treatment’. Placebo treatment enables the experimenter to control the research by simply believing that they are being treated give therapeutic results.

All groups were assigned 4 minute typing test. In this stage, all were treated similarly, none were wearing any wristband. After half an hour, second 4 minute typing test was conducted on all three groups. In this stage, the first two groups were told to wear their respective wristbands. After the tests, the self report data (pain improvement ratings) and behavior data(typing speed) were taken.

The report of the third group was on expected lines. The first group showed improved report after second test. Their typing speed was increased and also they experienced less pain. This was also expected. However, it was the report of second group which was staggering. This group, in spite of the fact that they were not wearing any magnet, showed improved typing speed and less pain, similar to the first group who were wearing wristband with magnets.

Judging on this research, it was concluded that magnet works not because it has any therapeutic values but all because of Placebo effect. Knowing that one is being treated works. If I think magnets will help with my RSI, I don’t need magnets even a small block of wood in guise of a magnet will work.