Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 479–80
In a randomised, controlled trial we investigated whether acupuncture is more effective than no acupuncture or minimal acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Patients (age 50–75 years) with pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee (radiological alterations in knee > 1–2 according to Kellgren) were randomised to treatment with semi-standardised acupuncture (AC), minimal acupuncture (MA) or to waiting list control (WL). Both AC and MA were administered by specialised acupuncture physicians in 31 outpatient centres and consisted of 12 sessions per patient over 8 weeks. Patients completed standardised questionnaires at baseline and end of week 8. The main outcome parameter was the difference between the WOMAC scores before randomisation and at the end of week 8. Secondary outcome parameters were the Pain Disability Index (PDI) and health-related quality of life (SF-36).
A total of 299 patients (67% female, 64 ± 6 years) were included from March 2002 to January 2003 into one of the three treatment groups (AC, MA or WL). The final outcome results will be presented at the conference.
The results of the present study will aid in determining the efficacy of acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic pain syndromes.
