Clinical study of electroacupuncture in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: Using a randomized controlled clinical trial of electroacupuncture for early- and middle-stage knee osteoarthritis of the liver-kidney deficiency type, this study aimed to scientifically evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture and to find, for traditional Chinese medicine, a convenient, efficient and safe external treatment for knee osteoarthritis that can be promoted in clinical practice. METHODS: Following the principles of randomized controlled clinical trials, patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups: the treatment group (electroacupuncture group, 30 cases), control group A (acupuncture group, 30 cases) and control group B (ultrasound group, 30 cases), each treated according to its protocol. The VAS score and the WOMAC index were the main outcome measures, and the results were analysed statistically to reach the final conclusion. RESULTS: After treatment, the VAS score and the pain, stiffness and physical function scores of the WOMAC index decreased in all three groups, with statistically significant differences compared with before treatment (p<0.05), showing that the electroacupuncture, acupuncture and ultrasound groups all relieved pain, eased joint stiffness and improved knee function. In terms of the total effective rate before and after treatment, the electroacupuncture group was higher than the acupuncture group and the acupuncture group higher than the ultrasound group, indicating that electroacupuncture was more effective than acupuncture, and acupuncture more effective than ultrasound. In terms of the total effective rate at follow-up after treatment, the electroacupuncture group was higher than the acupuncture group and the acupuncture group higher than the ultrasound group, indicating that electroacupuncture was more effective than acupuncture, and acupuncture more effective than ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can relieve the pain of knee osteoarthritis, ease joint stiffness and improve knee function, and is a convenient, efficient and safe clinical therapy for early- and middle-stage knee osteoarthritis.