Positive Health Online

Abstract

SUN and COLLEAGUES, 1. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; 2. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China; 3. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; 4. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China aim to evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese acupuncture for pain relief and function improvement in mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (TCAKOA) patients.

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Acupuncture is a popular form of complementary medicine for musculoskeletal conditions, although the evidence is inconclusive. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese acupuncture for pain relief and function improvement in mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (TCAKOA) participants.

Methodology

42 patients will be recruited who have been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate KOA and randomly allocated in equal proportions to traditional Chinese acupuncture or minimal acupuncture. They will receive acupuncture for 24 sessions over 8 weeks.

Results

The primary end point is success rate, which will be calculated according to a change from baseline in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain and function scores at 8 weeks. Secondary end points include pain and function measurement, global change, the quality of life and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Celebrex, Pfizer) at 8, 16 and 26 weeks. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval of this study has been granted by the Research Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University (permission number: 2016BL-010-02). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Outcomes of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN14016893; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/ .

Conclusion

References

Sun N1,2, Shi GX1, Tu JF1, Li YT1, Zhang LW2, Cao Y2, Du Y3, Zhao JJ3, Xiong DC4, Hou HK4, Liu CZ1. Traditional Chinese acupuncture versus minimal acupuncture for mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a randomised, controlled pilot trial.  BMJ Open. 6(12):e013830. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013830. Dec 13 2016.