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Reduction of pain thresholds in fibromyalgia after very low-intensity magnetic stimulation: a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

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Maestú C, Blanco M, Nevado A, Romero J, Rodríguez-Rubio P, Galindo J, Bautista Lorite J, de las Morenas F, Fernández-Argüelles P. · 2013

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Very low-intensity 8 Hz magnetic fields significantly reduced fibromyalgia pain and improved sleep quality in this controlled trial.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Spanish researchers tested whether very low-intensity 8 Hz magnetic fields could help women with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. After eight weekly sessions, patients receiving real magnetic stimulation showed significant improvements in pain thresholds, daily functioning, chronic pain levels, and sleep quality compared to those receiving fake treatment. The benefits appeared quickly for pain relief but took six weeks to develop for other symptoms, suggesting magnetic fields may offer a safe treatment option for fibromyalgia patients.

Why This Matters

This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how extremely low frequency magnetic fields can influence pain perception and neurological function. The 8 Hz frequency used falls within the alpha brainwave range, which may explain why patients experienced improvements in both pain processing and sleep quality. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates therapeutic benefits from magnetic field exposures that are orders of magnitude lower than what we encounter from many common household devices. The science demonstrates that our bodies can respond to very subtle electromagnetic signals, challenging the conventional assumption that only high-intensity fields produce biological effects. For fibromyalgia patients, this research suggests that controlled magnetic field therapy might offer relief where traditional treatments have failed, though more research is needed to establish optimal protocols and long-term safety.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 8 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 8 HzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 8 Hz Duration: eight consecutive weekly sessions

Study Details

To test the effect of very low-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation on symptoms associated with fibromyalgia syndrome.

A double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in the Sagrado Corazón Hospital, S...

A repeated-measures ANOVA indicated statistically significant improvement in the stimulation group c...

Very low-intensity magnetic stimulation may represent a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

Cite This Study
Maestú C, Blanco M, Nevado A, Romero J, Rodríguez-Rubio P, Galindo J, Bautista Lorite J, de las Morenas F, Fernández-Argüelles P. (2013). Reduction of pain thresholds in fibromyalgia after very low-intensity magnetic stimulation: a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Pain Res Manag. 18(6):e101-106, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2013_reduction_of_pain_thresholds_1759,
  author = {Maestú C and Blanco M and Nevado A and Romero J and Rodríguez-Rubio P and Galindo J and Bautista Lorite J and de las Morenas F and Fernández-Argüelles P.},
  title = {Reduction of pain thresholds in fibromyalgia after very low-intensity magnetic stimulation: a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24308025/},
}
PubMed: 24308025

Cited By (61 papers)

View all 61 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, very low-intensity 8 Hz magnetic stimulation significantly improved pain thresholds in fibromyalgia patients. A 2013 Spanish study found that after eight weekly sessions, women receiving magnetic therapy showed better pain tolerance, daily functioning, and sleep quality compared to placebo treatment, with no adverse effects reported.
8 Hz magnetic stimulation reduced chronic pain levels in fibromyalgia patients according to a controlled clinical trial. Participants receiving real magnetic therapy experienced significant improvements in perceived chronic pain after six weeks of treatment, while those getting fake treatment showed no improvement.
Very low-intensity magnetic therapy appears safe for fibromyalgia treatment. The 2013 study found no adverse side effects in any patients receiving 8 Hz magnetic stimulation over eight weekly sessions, while still producing significant improvements in pain thresholds and other fibromyalgia symptoms.
Low-intensity magnetic field therapy improved sleep quality in fibromyalgia patients. After six weeks of 8 Hz magnetic stimulation sessions, participants showed statistically significant improvements in sleep compared to those receiving placebo treatment, though sleep benefits took longer to develop than pain relief.
Specific electromagnetic fields can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Very low-intensity 8 Hz magnetic stimulation improved pain thresholds, daily functioning abilities, chronic pain levels, and sleep quality in a controlled study, with pain improvements appearing after just one session and other benefits developing over six weeks.