Bioflow bracelets

[zooterkin]

The company I work for has a Sports and Social club which has special offers from time to time. The latest is a 10% discount on Bioflow products (http://www.bioflowsport.com/). I assume that there is no proven effect of wearing magnets on bracelets on your health, especially as most of the claims are carefully worded to avoid actually claiming anything (e.g. "To date, over a million people worldwide have made the decision to try our products and we now have thousands of testimonials from customers whose lives have been changed by Bioflow Magnotherapy."). However, there is a link to a BMJ article which they are claiming shows (http://www.bioflowsport.com/info-Press):
What this study adds
Bracelets with static magnets decrease the pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, over and above the effects of placebo.
These benefits are supplementary to those from usual treatments.

However, the summary in the article itself (http://www.bmj.com/content/329/7480/1450.full?sid=2e23d2c4-116a-4e0d-901f-32134b693808) says:
Results Mean pain scores were reduced more in the standard magnet group than in the dummy group (mean difference 1.3 points, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 2.55). Self reported blinding status did not affect the results. The scores for secondary outcome measures were consistent with the WOMAC A scores.

Conclusion Pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee decreases when wearing magnetic bracelets. It is uncertain whether this response is due to specific or non-specific (placebo) effects.

which seems a lot less definitive to me.

So, first, can someone who knows a bit more than me confirm that these are a waste of money (I'm 95% sure that they are, but I'd like to be certain!). Second, any suggestions on the best way to suggest to the S&SC that they shouldn't waste company resources on promoting woo. (I imagine they were approached by Bioflow, rather than went looking for them in particular, and simply didn't realise what they were.)

[Capsid]

The study does appear to show a real improvement but it cannot be discounted that the patients knew they were wearing a magnet rather than a dummy despite them saying otherwise. So overall I'd say it's inconclusive which is what the authors concluded too.

[jli]

However, the summary in the article itself (http://www.bmj.com/content/329/7480/1450.full?sid=2e23d2c4-116a-4e0d-901f-32134b693808) says:
which seems a lot less definitive to me.

So, first, can someone who knows a bit more than me confirm that these are a waste of money (I'm 95% sure that they are, but I'd like to be certain!). Second, any suggestions on the best way to suggest to the S&SC that they shouldn't waste company resources on promoting woo. (I imagine they were approached by Bioflow, rather than went looking for them in particular, and simply didn't realise what they were.)

You are correct, that it is a waste of money.

It is also a good example that it does pay to take a look at the original articles instead of promotional material.

I think you should show it to them for comparison with the sales material. You might also want to show them a few more studies, that demonstrate that static magnets do not perform better than placebo. See for instance this study: http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/290/11/1474.full.pdf+htmlAnd here is a summary of a more recent study: http://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993%2810%2900199-1/abstract (Only the abstract is avialble for free).

This post on SBM may come in handy as well: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/can-magnets-heal/

[Complexity]

Ask your company if they are comfortable supporting a fraudulent company and their woo products.

[Mojo]

The study does appear to show a real improvement but it cannot be discounted that the patients knew they were wearing a magnet rather than a dummy despite them saying otherwise.


Effective blinding is a bit tricky because magnets tend to be magnetic.

[Bikewer]

Bracelets, bracelets...... My dad was making copper bracelets for himself way back when THAT fad was popular....
How about magic necklaces, or earrings, or perhaps magnetic C-rings to restore potency.....

[ApolloGnomon]

I don't recommend magnetic bracelets. They can interrupt the flow of chi through the body.

[LarianLeQuella]

Same excrement, different name...

Considering the size of this market, there sure are a lot of gullible consumers. I guess that saying was right about fools and money...

[Turgor]

I don't recommend magnetic bracelets. They can interrupt the flow of chi through the body.

Chi? Isn't that the stuff that flows through bovine lower intestines?

[ApolloGnomon]

Chi? Isn't that the stuff that flows through bovine lower intestines?

Yeah, I buy chi in 30# bags to grow tomatoes.

[Number Six]

Rory McIlroy, the young golfer who won the US Open recently and is considered someone that will be a big name in golfing for a long time, apparently uses the magnets.

http://www.trionz.com/?cmd=athletes&id=3

[Complexity]

Rory McIlroy, the young golfer who won the US Open recently and is considered someone that will be a big name in golfing for a long time, apparently uses the magnets.

http://www.trionz.com/?cmd=athletes&id=3


And?

What should we take away from this?

[Number Six]

And?

What should we take away from this?

That being good at golf doesn't necessarily equate to being a critical thinker? I don't know. I wasn't trying to make any special conclusion, rather I knew McIlroy used that stuff and when I saw this thread I thought it would interest others to know about it too.

[Complexity]

That being good at golf doesn't necessarily equate to being a critical thinker? I don't know. I wasn't trying to make any special conclusion, rather I knew McIlroy used that stuff and when I saw this thread I thought it would interest others to know about it too.


Never fear, that is what I assumed. I was hoping that you weren't suggesting that celebrity is associated with smart choices, though that is the delusion that advertising is based on.

[Dr. Keith]

And?

What should we take away from this?

Well, there was a case filed earlier this year against several big name stars for fraud because of their endorsement of hologram bracelets.

I don't know where that went, but it seems an effective strategy to make people with relatively deep pockets think twice about promoting this crap.

[Complexity]

Well, there was a case filed earlier this year against several big name stars for fraud because of their endorsement of hologram bracelets.

I don't know where that went, but it seems an effective strategy to make people with relatively deep pockets think twice about promoting this crap.


You just made me very happy.

[Dr. Keith]

You just made me very happy.

It pissed me off at the time because I wish I had thought of it!

We were actually talking to one of these companies about representing them on some other matters and I used this litigation to convince the rest of the firm that they are a huge payment risk. So, we ended up not taking them on as a client.