Comparative efficacy of tuina and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: Tuina Therapy Group:Tuina;Oral Celecoxib Group:Celecoxib; CONDITION: Knee Osteoarthritis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index; SECONDARY OUTCOME: Short form 36‐item health survey;Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale;Gait analysis; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Men or non‐pregnant women; 2. Aged >= 40 years; 3. Be consistent with the diagnostic criteria for OA of the knee; 4. X‐rays showing knee OA defined as Kellgren and Lawrence (K‐L) Grade 1‐2 in standing position; 5. The WOMAC(Likert version) pain sub‐score >= 10; 6. Unilateral knee involvement; 7. Must understand Chinese and speak Mandarin Chinese; 8. No previous knee surgery and no accompanying other knee problems; 9. Volunteer to participate in this trial and provide written informed consent.