A series of studies on acupuncture treatment of knee osteoarthritis by Chinese scholars

Editor Group of TMR Non-Drug Therapy

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is an important cause of chronic pain and disability in the elderly, affecting 16% of the global population [1-2].With the increase in life expectancy and the prevalence of obesity, this situation will worsen.At present, most international guidelines do not recommend acupuncture treatment.Only the guidelines of the American Academy of Rheumatology recommend the use of acupuncture when total knee replacement is required but is unwilling to undergo surgery or because of contraindications to surgery.Insufficient acupuncture frequency in previous studies may be the main reason for the unclear efficacy.However, in clinical practice,the selection of acupuncture frequency lacks the necessary scientific basis.In China, the frequency of acupuncture is mostly 3-5 times a week,but in foreign countries, the frequency of acupuncture is mostly 1-2 times a week.Too low acupuncture frequency is not conducive to the effect of acupuncture.If acupuncture frequency is too high, acupuncture tolerance may occur, and the treatment cost and time cost are high,which is not conducive to the promotion of acupuncture therapy worldwide.Therefore, it is necessary to explore the application rules of different acupuncture frequencies[3-5].

The team of Professor Liu Cunzhi from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine has completed relevant research on the above issues and published relevant results inPainandArthritis & Rheumatology[3-4].A study published inPainshowed that acupuncture treatment 3 times a week had a quick onset,whcich could be used for rapid relief of pain and dysfunction during the acute stage of knee OA;acupuncture treatment once a week could be used for maintenance treatment of knee OA, which saved manpower, material resources and financial resources while ensuring the therapeutic effect [3].Another study published inArthritis & Rheumatologyshowed that electroacupuncture treatment three times a week can significantly reduce knee joint pain and improve knee joint function.After stopping the treatment, the effect can be maintained for half a year, and there are fewer adverse reactions during the treatment.This clinical trial provides high-quality evidence for the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of knee OA[4].

The above research not only provides a scientific basis for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of knee OA, but also indicates that the quality and level of clinical research on acupuncture in China has been increasingly recognized internationally,and has a positive effect on the modernization and internationalization of acupuncture[5].