Randomized Controlled Observation of Acupuncture Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
10.13460/j.issn.1005-0957.2014.10.0937
- VernacularTitle:针刺治疗膝骨关节炎随机对照观察
- Author:
Weidong LI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Knee joint,osteoarthritis;
Acupuncture;
Electroacupuncture;
Randomized controlled trial;
VAS;
WOMAC
- From:
Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
2014;(10):937-940
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of tug-of-war needling method versus conventional electroacupuncture on knee osteoarthritis, seek a better method for treating this disease and prove the importance of needling and moxibustion techniques. Method One hundred patients meeting the criteria of knee osteoarthritis were allocated, in order of visits, to an electroacupuncture group of 50 cases and a tug-of-war needling group of 50 cases. In the tug-of-war needling group of patients, points Zusanli(ST36) and Heding(EX-LE2) were mainly selected and after the arrival of qi following needle insertion, forward pushing or backward pulling was repeatedly made like tug of war to strengthen or eliminate the needling sensation. In the electroacupuncture group, local points were mainly selected according to the routine, and after the arrival of qi, a G6805-1 type electric acupuncture therapeutic instrument was connected and sparse-dense waves were used. Reactions were recorded in the two groups of patients after two courses of treatment. Joint function was assessed using the VAS and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Result Both groups of patients were followed up at six months after the end of treatment. There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the VAS score and the WOMAC sub-scores and total score in the two groups (P＜0.01). The VAS score and the WOMAC sub-scores and total score decreased more in the tug-of-war needling group of patients than in the electroacupuncture group (P＜0.01). The total efficacy rates in the tug-of-war needling and electroacupuncture groups were 92.0% and 90.0%, respectively, at the end of treatment and 94.0% and 92.0%, respectively, at the follow-up;there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups and between at the end of treatment and at the follow-up in the two groups (P>0.05). However, the cure and marked efficacy rates in the two groups of patients were 68.0%and 52.0%, respectively, at the end of treatment and 68.0%and 54.0%, respectively, at the follow-up. It was statistically higher in the tug-of-war needling group than in the electroacupuncture group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Both tug-of-war needling and electroacupuncture have a good and very stable therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis. Tug-of-war needling is better than electroacupuncture in improving the clinical symptoms.
