Objectives: To analyse the efficacy of acupuncture as a complementary therapy to the pharmacological treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, with respect to pain relief, reduction of stiffness, and increased physical function during treatment; modifications in the consumption of diclofenac during treatment; and changes in the patient's quality of life.
Design: Randomised, controlled, single blind trial, with blinded evaluation and statistical analysis of results.
Setting: Pain management unit in a public primary care centre in southern Spain, over a period of two years.
Participants: 97 outpatients presenting with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Interventions: Patients were randomly separated into two groups, one receiving acupuncture plus diclofenac (n = 48) and the other placebo acupuncture plus diclofenac (n = 49).
Main Outcome Measures: The clinical variables examined included intensity of pain as measured by a visual analogue scale; pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index; dosage of diclofenac taken during treatment; and the profile of quality of life in the chronically ill (PQLC) instrument, evaluated before and after the treatment programme.
Results: 88 patients completed the trial. In the intention to treat analysis, the WOMAC index presented a greater reduction in the intervention group than in the control group (mean difference 23.9, 95% confidence interval 15.0 to 32.8) The reduction was greater in the subscale of functional activity. The same result was observed in the pain visual analogue scale, with a reduction of 26.6 (18.5 to 34.8). The PQLC results indicate that acupuncture treatment produces significant changes in physical capability (P = 0.021) and psychological functioning (P = 0.046). Three patients reported bruising after the acupuncture sessions.
Conclusions: Acupuncture plus diclofenac is more effective than placebo acupuncture plus diclofenac for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38238.601447.3A | DOI Listing |
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu
November 2024
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of CM, Beijing 100700, China.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
September 2024
Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are conditions related to the musculoskeletal structure of the temporomandibular joint, which may lead to muscle or joint pain and other health issues. TMD may present in muscles only (myogenous), joints only (arthrogenous), or both (mixed), and may affect one side or both sides of the face. Myogenous TMD may present with or without limited mouth opening.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
June 2024
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Dongzhimen Nei Ave. Nanxiaojie 16#, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100700, China.
A novel therapeutic approach combining acupuncture and diclofenac sodium (DS) administration was established for the potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DS is a commonly used anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug but has short duration and adverse effects. Acupoints are critical linkages in the meridian system and are potential candidates for drug delivery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Mol Neurosci
May 2024
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China.
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