Knee osteoarthritis treated with acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy differences between acupuncture and western medicine in treating osteoarthritis of knee joints.MethodsOne hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a western medication group with 60 cases in each group. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied mainly at Nèixīyăn ( EX-LE 4), Dúbí ( ST 35), Yīnlíngquán ( SP 9) and Yánglíngquán ( GB 34) plus other acupoints selected according to syndrome differentiation. In the medication group, Glucosamine Hydrochloride capsules were orally given 3 times daily with 2 capsules each time. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36, Chinese version) were used to assess therapeutic effects before treatment, after 4 weeks treatment and 9 weeks after treatment, respectively.ResultsAfter 4 weeks of treatment, the total effective rates were 86.7% (52/60) and 88.3% (53/60) in the acupuncture group and the western medication group, respectively, without significant difference (P>0.05). In 9 weeks after treatment, the total effective rates were 83.3% (50/60) and 61.7% (37/60) in the acupuncture group and the western medication group, respectively, with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). According to WOMAC and SF-36, the scores were all improved in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), with significant difference in follow-up visit of 9 weeks after treatment between the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), but not after 4 weeks of treatments (both P>0.05).ConclusionShort-term of therapeutic effects of acupuncture and oral administration of Glucosamine Hydrochloride on osteoarthritis of knee joints are similar, but long-term efficacy in the acupuncture group is better than that in the western medication group.