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Copper compression gloves: the evidence, then the buying advice
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- Copper-infused compression gloves with open fingertips. Best for: People who like the feel of a copper glove and want warmth with full finger use. See options on Amazon
- Cotton compression arthritis gloves. Best for: All-day wear for stiff, achy hands. See options on Amazon
- Compression gloves with silicone grip dots. Best for: Opening jars, gardening or holding tools. See options on Amazon
- Thin thermal glove liners. Best for: People who mainly want warm hands without compression. See options on Amazon
What the research says about copper
The University of York ran a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 70 people with active rheumatoid arthritis. Each person wore a copper bracelet, magnetic wrist straps and a placebo device for five weeks each over five months. Neither the copper bracelet nor the magnetic strap had a meaningful effect beyond placebo on pain, swelling or disease progression. The lead researcher suggested people may feel better partly because of a placebo effect.
Arthritis UK states there is no scientific or medical evidence that copper bracelets offer any benefit, that copper in a bracelet cannot be absorbed into a joint, and that there is no evidence arthritis is caused by a shortage of copper. It also says they are safe to wear. These findings are about bracelets, but the same reasoning applies to copper threads in fabric: there is no shown route for the copper to act on the joint.
What regulators have said
In December 2015 the US Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with Tommie Copper, a seller of copper-infused compression clothing. The FTC said the company's ads claimed the garments relieved severe and chronic pain and inflammation from arthritis and other diseases, and offered relief comparable to drugs or surgery, without adequate support. The order requires competent and reliable scientific evidence before future pain-relief or health claims.
When a copper glove's packaging promises pain relief, read it as a marketing claim, not a proven effect.
So why do some people like them?
The compression and warmth are real, even if the copper adds nothing proven. The A-GLOVES trial, presented at the EULAR congress, randomised 206 people with rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis to compression gloves made with 20% Lycra or to loose control gloves with 11% Lycra that gave no compression. After 12 weeks, pain, stiffness and hand function improved similarly in both groups, and 73% of people in each group rated their gloves as beneficial. The authors concluded compression was not the key ingredient, and that warmth from loose gloves was just as helpful to participants.
That means you should judge a copper glove the way you would judge any glove: fit, fabric, warmth and how well you can use your hands in it. For more on glove options for joint pain, see compression gloves for arthritis.
How to choose a pair, copper or not
- Fit by measurement. Measure around your palm and use the maker's chart. Too tight can numb fingers; too loose slides around.
- Open or full fingers. Open fingertips keep touch and grip for phones, crafts and cooking. See fingerless compression gloves.
- Fabric. Cotton blends breathe for all-day wear; nylon and spandex blends are thinner and smoother.
- Grip dots. Helpful if you want to open jars or hold tools.
- Washability. You will wear them often, so check that they can be machine washed.
Copper versus plain compression gloves
| Feature | Copper-infused glove | Plain compression glove |
|---|---|---|
| Compression and warmth | Yes | Yes |
| Proven benefit from copper | No good evidence | Not applicable |
| Main reason to choose | Fit, feel or color you like | Fit, feel and fabric |
| What to ignore | Pain-relief claims about copper | Claims of large pain relief |
What to look for when you buy
Copper-infused compression gloves with open fingertips
Best for: People who like the feel of a copper glove and want warmth with full finger use
Gives the same snug warmth as other compression gloves. Choose it for fit and feel, since the York trial and Arthritis UK found no evidence copper itself helps.
Watch out: Ignore pain-relief claims on the box. Stop if fingers tingle or skin reacts.
See options on AmazonCotton compression arthritis gloves
Best for: All-day wear for stiff, achy hands
Cotton breathes and the A-GLOVES trial suggests warmth may be what people value most.
Watch out: Cotton holds water; take them off for wet tasks.
See options on AmazonCompression gloves with silicone grip dots
Best for: Opening jars, gardening or holding tools
Grip dots add friction so you need less squeeze to hold things, in line with joint-protection advice to reduce strain on painful joints.
Watch out: Dots can wear off with frequent washing.
See options on AmazonThin thermal glove liners
Best for: People who mainly want warm hands without compression
The A-GLOVES trial found loose gloves without compression helped just as much as compression gloves, with warmth valued by participants.
Watch out: No compression, so less snug feel.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do copper compression gloves work?
- The compression and warmth may make hands feel more comfortable, but there is no good evidence the copper adds anything. A York trial found copper bracelets no better than placebo for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Are copper gloves safe?
- Arthritis UK says copper bracelets are safe to wear. As with any compression glove, take them off if fingers go numb or skin becomes irritated.
- Are copper-infused gloves better than regular compression gloves?
- Not on the evidence available. Choose by fit, fabric and how easily you can use your hands.
- Why did the FTC act against a copper compression company?
- The FTC said Tommie Copper advertised pain relief from arthritis and other diseases without adequate scientific support.
Sources
- Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps fail to help rheumatoid arthritis, says York research (york.ac.uk), University of York
- Copper bracelets (arthritis-uk.org), Arthritis UK
- Tommie Copper to Settle FTC Deceptive Advertising Charges (ftc.gov), US Federal Trade Commission
- The effects of arthritis gloves on hand pain in people with rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis: a randomised controlled trial (A-GLOVES trial) (salford-repository.worktribe.com), Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, EULAR abstract (University of Salford repository)