Evaluation of pulsing magnetic field effects on paresthesia in multiple sclerosis patients, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial

• Paresthesis is one of the most common presenting symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis.
• Pulsed magnetic therapy could alleviate paresthesia in MS patients.
• Short term use of magnet field therapy is usually well tolerated.

ObjectivesEvidence is mounting that magnet therapy could alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was performed to test the effects of the pulsing magnetic fields on the paresthesia in MS patients.Patients and methodsThis study has been conducted as a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial during the April 2012 to October 2013. The subjects were selected among patients referred to MS clinic of Imam Reza Hospital; affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Sixty three patients with MS were included in the study and randomly were divided into two groups, 35 patients were exposed to a magnetic pulsing field of 4 mT intensity and 15-Hz frequency sinusoidal wave for 20 min per session 2 times per week over a period of 2 months involving 16 sessions and 28 patients was exposed to a magnetically inactive field (placebo) for 20 min per session 2 times per week over a period of 2 months involving 16 sessions. The severity of paresthesia was measured by the numerical rating scale (NRS) at 30, 60 days. The study primary end point was NRS change between baseline and 60 days. The secondary outcome was NRS change between baseline and 30 days.ResultsPatients exposing to magnetic field showed significant paresthesia improvement compared with the group of patients exposing to placebo.ConclusionAccording to our results pulsed magnetic therapy could alleviate paresthesia in MS patients .But trials with more patients and longer duration are mandatory to describe long-term effects.