OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis between acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) and the conventional acupoints.

METHODSForty four cases were random into a Neiguanc (PC 6) Taichong (LR 3) group observation group (20 cases) and a conventional group control group (24 cases). In the observention group, acupuncture was applied to Neiguan (PC 6) on the healthy side and Taichong (LR 3) on the affected side. The acupoints were selected bilaterally if both knees were affected. In the control group, acupuncture was applied to Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36) and the others on the affected side. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used for assessment of theraputic effect after treatment.

RESULTSThe score of VAS and pain, stiffness and function impairment of WOMAC were lower apparently than those before treatment in both groups (all P < 0.001). VAS score after treatment in the observation group was lower apparently than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The differences in each item score of WOMAC after treatment were not significant statistically between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) achieves the similar efficacy on knee osteoarthritis as the conventional acupoints, but the former is more simple and convenient.