The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of magnetic therapy on menstrual pain. The data was gathered from 23 student nurses at South Korean University during the period from June to October 1992. This study was designed with control group pretest-posttest design to examine the effectiveness of magnetic application in primary dysmenorrhea.

The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: 1) an experimental group, 11 women, that applied magnet therapy (800-1299 gauss) or 2) a control group, 12 women, that applied a non magnet. Both groups’ pain level were assessed using 3 pain rating scales.

Both groups applied magnets or non magnets on the supra pubic area, the lumbar area and 4 finger breadths above the inner ankle. The pain level of the experimental group was measured first at 9 a.m. after the beginning of dysmenorrhea, 3 hours after the magnet was applied magnet and 3 hours after detached magnet. The pain level of control group was measured in a similar way.

The results showed significant differences in pain scores between the treatment group and the placebo group as measured 3 hours after applying the treatment and placebo magnets and 3 hours after the removal of the magnets.