Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by a randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Sixty cases with KOA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated by warm needling moxibustion. The control group was treated by simple acupuncture. Ten sessions made one course and the two groups were treated for two courses. The scores of knee joint pain, stiffness and knee functions before and after the treatment were observed.
Results: The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) on pain, stiffness and joint functions before and after treatment in both groups were statistically different (all P<0.05). The comparisons of the scores in pain, stiffness and joint function after treatment between the two groups were all statistically different (all P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3%in the observation group and 80.0%in the control group. The differences of the clinical effects between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion can improve the clinical symptoms and functions of the patients with KOA, and is better than ordinary acupuncture in the therapeutic effect.