OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy of osteoarthritis of knee joint treated by acupuncture and moxibustion and simple acupuncture.

METHODSSixty-two cases were randomized into an observation group (32 cases) and a control group (30 cases). In the observation group, acupuncture and non-scarring moxibustion were applied. Acupuncture was applied on the local acupoints of knee and moxibustion was performed on Shenshu (BL 23) and Xuehai (SP 10). In the control group, only acupuncture was adopted. The clinical efficacy was observed after 2 courses of treatment. Lysholm knee joint motor function scale, visual analogue scale (VAS) and WHO quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) were used for the assessment of scores before and after treatment and the statistical analysis of clinical efficacy.

RESULTSThe total effective rate (93.8%, 30/32) in the observation group was superior to that (87.7%, 26/30) in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores in Lysholm knee joint motor function scale and VAS were improved after treatment compared with those before treatment in two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The degree of improvement in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical significance in the scores of WHOQOL-BREF before and after treatment in two groups as well as in intra-group comparison (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion in combination achieve the definite clinical efficacy on osteoarthritis of knee joint and this therapy is superior to simple acupuncture in the improvement of motor function of knee joint and the alleviation of pain.