Magnets in the Treatment of Sciatica

Low Back Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: Static Magnets In The Treatment of Sciatica

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Despite much popularity among the public, magnetic devices used for the treatment of various musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain syndromes have been the subject of few randomized controlled trials.

We propose to study the effects of permanent 200 gauss magnets on lumbar radicular pain. This study will include 52 men and women of all ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 28 and 75 who have had signs and symptoms of sciatica for 3 months or more.

This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-control, two phase study. In the first phase, after one week baseline, subjects will be randomized to 4 different treatments in a cross-over design. These 4 treatments which will last two weeks each are: 1 magnetic device positioned in 2 different ways along the spinal axis (up-down along the lumbo-sacral spine and left-right across the lumbo-sacral spine), a sham device of similar configuration and a no treatment control. The length of phase I will be 8 weeks. At the end of this phase, codes will be broken to select the magnetic device associated with the greatest amount of pain score reduction. During the second phase which will also be double-blinded, subjects will be randomized to wear the selected magnetic device and sham in a cross-over design. Each of the 2 periods will be 5 weeks in duration. The primary outcome measures will be the daily pain score in the leg. Daily pain level in the low back and the back and leg combined in addition to the patients' quality of life and activities of daily living will be secondary outcome measures as assessed by the SF 36, Oswestry, and Beck depression inventory.

Clinical Trial Description

Despite much popularity among the public, magnetic devices used for the treatment of various musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain syndromes have been the subject of few randomized controlled trials.

We propose to study the effects of permanent 200 gauss magnets on lumbar radicular pain. This study will include 52 men and women of all ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 28 and 75 who have had signs and symptoms of sciatica for 3 months or more.

This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-control, two phase study. In the first phase, after one week baseline, subjects will be randomized to 4 different treatments in a cross-over design. These 4 treatments which will last two weeks each are: 1 magnetic device positioned in 2 different ways along the spinal axis (up-down along the lumbo-sacral spine and left-right across the lumbo-sacral spine), a sham device of similar configuration and a no treatment control. The length of phase I will be 8 weeks. At the end of this phase, codes will be broken to select the magnetic device associated with the greatest amount of pain score reduction. During the second phase which will also be double-blinded, subjects will be randomized to wear the selected magnetic device and sham in a cross-over design. Each of the 2 periods will be 5 weeks in duration. The primary outcome measures will be the daily pain score in the leg. Daily pain level in the low back and the back and leg combined in addition to the patients' quality of life and activities of daily living will be secondary outcome measures as assessed by the SF 36, Oswestry, and Beck depression inventory. ;

Study Design

Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Low Back Pain
• Sciatica

• NCT number: NCT00044109
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: August 2002
• Completion date: June 2006