Electroacupuncture and Manual Acupuncture in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

INTERVENTION: H02.004 Therapeutic randomized clinical trial, with 2 arms, single‐blind. Randomization will be performed using the permuted‐block method with sequentially numbered, opaque sealed envelopes (SNOSE). G1=Eletroacupuncture treatment (n=30): signal 3 with two frequencies: 3 and 100 Hz, with 3 s to each frequency during 30 minutes. G2 = Manual Acupuncture treatment (n=30): technique with handling every 3 minutes after placing the needles for 30 minutes. Points used in both treatments are: LI‐4, F‐3 bilaterally and E‐36, E‐35, Xiyan and BP‐10 on the affected side. Both groups will receive different treatments. Thus there will not be placebo intervention. The following assessments will be performed immediately before and after treatments (in the same day): a) Pain intensity assessement with a visual analog scale; b) Pressure pain threshold measurement with a pressure algometer; c) Peak of knee extensor torque with an isokinetic dinamometer; d) Mobility assessment with the Timed Up and Go Test. All the assessments will be performed by an investigator not involved in treatments and he will be blind to participant´s group allocation. Due to the nature of interventions it will not be possible to blind participants and therapist. Treatment sessions will be performed during afternoon between June and December of 2012 CONDITION: C05.550.114.606.500 E02.190.044.105 Pacients with knee osteoarthritis, arthralgia, acupuncture analgesia ; E02.190.044.105 ; C05.550.114.606.500 PRIMARY OUTCOME: Pain intensity decreased assessed by visual analog scale before and after manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture sessions. It is expected that visual analog scale show lower values after treatments SECONDARY OUTCOME: Pressure pain threshold increase, measured by a pressure algometer; Peak of Torque increase, measured with a isokinetic dynamometer; Deacrese of time to perform the Timed UP & Go test INCLUSION CRITERIA: Pacients with knee pain, with minimal intensity 2 in visual analogic scale (0‐10); Radiographic exam showing knee ostearthritis degree II, III or IV accordingly Kelgren and Lawrence classification