Q: Has there ever been a scientific study of whether copper bracelets ease arthritis symptoms?
A: A controlled, double-blind study in England in 2013 found that copper bracelets and other folk remedies, such as magnetic straps, were no more effective against arthritis than a placebo.
The study, published online in the journal PLOS One, involved 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They were randomly selected to wear four devices: a magnetic wrist strap, a weak magnetic strap, a demagnetized strap and a copper bracelet.
Each device was worn for five weeks, with a week in between devices.
Pain was assessed by subjective questionnaires, studying physiological signs, including swollen joints and physical function, and medication use.
The study authors concluded: "Wearing a magnetic wrist strap or a copper bracelet did not appear to have any meaningful therapeutic effect, beyond that of a placebo, for alleviating symptoms and combating disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis."
A systematic review in 2012 in the journal Rheumatology assessed a dozen alternate healing approaches used in treating osteoarthritis, including copper bracelets.
The review found no good evidence for recommending any of the treatments, but also insufficient evidence that they were not useful.
ActiveStyle on 02/20/2017