OBJECTIVETo investigate and research WHOQOL-BREF evaluation of the clinical effect of application of moxibustion for treatment of knee osteoarthritis, to provide clinical according for the treatment.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to June 2008, 90 cases of knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. In treatment group there were 45 cases included 16 males and 29 females with an average age of (62.5 +/- 7.4) years; the average course was (26.5 +/- 14.6) months; Lysholm score of knee function before treatment was (65.5 +/- 3.5) hours on average. In control group, there were 45 cases included 11 males and 34 females with an average age of (62.5 +/- 9.3) years;the average course was (24.6 +/- 16.6) months; Lysholm score of knee function before treatment was (66.3 +/- 2.3) hours on average. Applied Quality of Life Scale WHOQOL-BREF in line with the inclusion criteria of the study evaluation. While applied Lysholm scoring of knee joint for supporting the evaluation criteria. All data were statistical analyzed by package SPSS 11.5.

RESULTSMoxibustion was applied to treat the knee osteoarthritis and the quality of life was evaluated according to the WHOQOL-BREF scale score. The scores of the physical state, psychological state, as well as their own general health status of subjective feeling, and so on in treatment was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). According to Lysholm scoring, the score in treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group, too (t = 0.65, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONApplication of moxibustion for treatment of knee osteoarthritis is a simple, economical and practical, and can avoid the further development of the disease, but also to improve the joint function and improve quality of life.