What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture and conservative therapy for chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.

July 4, 2006Annals of Internal Medicine

Acupuncture and Knee Osteoarthritis

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Authors

HSHanns‐Peter ScharfHeidelberg University UMUlrich MansmannZimmer Biomet (Netherlands)KSKonrad StreitbergerUniversity of Bern

Discussion

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Overview

Randomized trial demonstrates acupuncture and sham needling relieve knee osteoarthritis better than standard care, indicating benefits may stem from placebo effects.

Key Points

To assess the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture and conservative therapy for chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.
Randomized controlled trial conducted across 315 primary care practices with 1,007 patients suffering from chronic knee osteoarthritis pain for at least 6 months (Kellgren-Lawrence score 2 or 3).
Patients received baseline conservative care (up to 6 physiotherapy sessions and as-needed anti-inflammatory drugs) combined with 10 sessions of traditional Chinese acupuncture, 10 sessions of sham acupuncture, or 10 physician visits over 6 weeks.
Primary endpoint was treatment success rate at 26 weeks, defined as at least a 36% improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score.
Success rates at 26 weeks were 53.1% for traditional Chinese acupuncture, 51.0% for sham acupuncture, and 29.1% for conservative therapy.
Traditional acupuncture was superior to conservative therapy (relative risk, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.43 to 2.13]), as was sham acupuncture (relative risk, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.42 to 2.11]).
No statistically significant difference in success rate occurred between traditional Chinese acupuncture and sham acupuncture (relative risk, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.17]).

Cite This Study

Scharf et al. (2006) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a6f8480fe4101aa97dfcf96 https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-145-1-200607040-00005

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July 4, 2006Annals of Internal Medicine

Acupuncture and Knee Osteoarthritis

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

HSHanns‐Peter ScharfHeidelberg University UMUlrich MansmannZimmer Biomet (Netherlands)KSKonrad StreitbergerUniversity of Bern

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Randomized trial demonstrates acupuncture and sham needling relieve knee osteoarthritis better than standard care, indicating benefits may stem from placebo effects.

Key Points

To assess the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture and conservative therapy for chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.
Randomized controlled trial conducted across 315 primary care practices with 1,007 patients suffering from chronic knee osteoarthritis pain for at least 6 months (Kellgren-Lawrence score 2 or 3).
Patients received baseline conservative care (up to 6 physiotherapy sessions and as-needed anti-inflammatory drugs) combined with 10 sessions of traditional Chinese acupuncture, 10 sessions of sham acupuncture, or 10 physician visits over 6 weeks.
Primary endpoint was treatment success rate at 26 weeks, defined as at least a 36% improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score.
Success rates at 26 weeks were 53.1% for traditional Chinese acupuncture, 51.0% for sham acupuncture, and 29.1% for conservative therapy.
Traditional acupuncture was superior to conservative therapy (relative risk, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.43 to 2.13]), as was sham acupuncture (relative risk, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.42 to 2.11]).
No statistically significant difference in success rate occurred between traditional Chinese acupuncture and sham acupuncture (relative risk, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.17]).

Cite This Study

Scharf et al. (2006) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a6f8480fe4101aa97dfcf96 https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-145-1-200607040-00005

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