--- title: "Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain…" description: "MSM may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis over a short period." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html" type: "study" study_key: "msm_oa" journal: "Osteoarthritis Cartilage" year: 2006 pmid: "16309928" doi: "10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/msm_oa ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Osteoarthritis Cartilage | | Year | 2006 | | PMID | [16309928](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16309928/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003) | | Study key | msm_oa | ## Takeaway MSM may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis over a short period. ## The question Does methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis? ## Hypothesis The study implicitly hypothesizes that MSM will be beneficial for arthritis symptoms, specifically pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis. ## Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial. Fifty men and women aged 40-76 with knee osteoarthritis pain were randomized to receive either 3g of MSM twice daily (6g/day total) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Outcomes measured included the WOMAC visual analogue scale (pain, stiffness, physical function, total symptoms), patient and physician global assessments, and SF-36 for quality of life. ## Results Compared to placebo, MSM significantly decreased WOMAC pain and physical function impairment. No significant changes were observed in WOMAC stiffness or aggregated total symptoms scores. MSM also improved the ability to perform activities of daily living as assessed by the SF-36. ## Conclusion MSM (6g/day) improved symptoms of pain and physical function during the 12-week intervention without major adverse events. ## Limitations The benefits and safety of MSM in managing osteoarthritis and its long-term use cannot be confirmed from this pilot trial. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Compared to placebo, MSM produced significant decreases in WOMAC pain and physical function impairment (P<0.05). ## MSM vs. Placebo: Impact on WOMAC Pain and Physical Function | Measure | Relative Change (Arbitrary Units) | | --- | --- | | WOMAC Pain | -1 | | WOMAC Physical Function | -1 | *MSM produced significant decreases in WOMAC pain and physical function impairment compared to placebo. The exact magnitude of decrease is not specified, only that it was significant (P<0.05).* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) | Moderate evidence | [MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/208.md) | | Glucosamine + Chondroitin (+ MSM) | Moderate evidence | [Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM (with OptiMSM)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/218.md) | | MSM (OptiMSM) | Emerging evidence | [MSM with OptiMSM (1,500 mg)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/219.md) | ## Reference 1. **Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial** Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006 · [PMID 16309928](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16309928/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003) > Compared to placebo, MSM produced significant decreases in WOMAC pain and physical function impairment (P<0.05). ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html","name":"Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial","description":"MSM may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis over a short period.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html#study","name":"Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial","headline":"Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial","datePublished":"2006","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Osteoarthritis Cartilage"},"identifier":"PMID:16309928","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16309928/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003","abstract":"MSM may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis over a short period."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/208.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM (with OptiMSM)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/218.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [MSM with OptiMSM (1,500 mg)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/219.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/boswellia_oa.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).