A study carried out in Yorkshire, England, found no effect of either magnetic or copper bracelets in decreasing pain or improving function in patients with wrist arthritis. The study involved 45 patients. It was published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine. The lead author, Stewart Richmond, is now working in New York. Previous studies had suggested that the magnetic bands might help people with knee and hip osteoarthritis. The effects however were very small. Studies on magnets are very hard to do as it is extremely  difficult to blind the patient as to which bracelet is the magnet and which is the placebo. Patients both feel a small local effect of the  magnet and magnets attract iron objects. A previous review of the literature had found minimal to no effects of magnets over placebo bands.

Strong magnets are supposed to increase local blood flow to the arthritic areas. However, studies have failed to prove that they do this. Magnets are relatively harmless. They should not be used in pregnant women as possible effects on fetal growth are unknown. Also they cannot be used in persons with defibrillators, pacemakers and those using insulin pumps. All studies done so far show a powerful effect of placebo (non active)  agents on arthritic pain. Placebos are often excellent medicine in persons with chronic problems and in the case of arthritis use of magnetic or copper bracelets may improve a person’s quality of life, even if not really effective. It should be recognized that magnetic and copper devices are a billion dollar business and for most people their money is better spent elsewhere.

Historically, copper has had a long history in health and as jewelery. Cleopatra is the most famous person to wear copper bracelets. Ancient Romans used copper to treat chest wounds. Copper is an essential element, but there is no evidence that the copper in bracelets is absorbed through the skin. Copper workers were thought to be protected from cholera. In 1939, Hengarter in Finland  found that arthritis was very rare in copper workers. Alex Chiu suggested that magnetic bracelets form a “ring of immortality ” protecting the individual. Nearly three quarters of individuals wearing bracelets for arthritis believe they are helpful. This brief history demonstrates how  facts and partial information can be blended into a mythological belief in the ability of an unproven approach to sell things to the chronically ill. However if you believe your bracelet is working continue to wear it. Placebos can be mighty powerful medicine.