Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with sensitized acupoints: results from a pilot, feasibility randomized controlled trial

Pengli Jia; Jiali Liu; Ling Li; Yanan Luo; Ying Li; Ling Zhao; Fanrong Liang; Zhibin Liu; Kang Zou; Li Tang; Xin Sun

doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00687-x

Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with sensitized acupoints: results from a pilot, feasibility randomized controlled trial

Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020 Sep 28:6:144. doi: 10.1186/s40814-020-00687-x. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Pengli Jia^#¹, Jiali Liu^#¹, Ling Li¹, Yanan Luo², Ying Li², Ling Zhao², Fanrong Liang², Zhibin Liu¹, Kang Zou¹, Li Tang¹, Xin Sun¹

Affiliations

¹ Chinese Evidence-based Medicine Center and Cochrane China Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China.
² Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610000 Sichuan China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Although previous clinical studies suggest possible benefits of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), the value of acupuncture at sensitized points is uncertain. We aimed to preliminarily assess the feasibility of performing a definitive randomized controlled trial to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture for KOA with highly sensitized acupoints.

Methods: In this randomized, single-blind, parallel, pilot trial, 36 participants with KOA were randomly assigned to receive acupuncture at highly sensitized acupoints (high-sensitization group) or at low/non-sensitized points (low/non-sensitization group) by a computer-generated random sequence. Both groups received three treatment sessions per week for four consecutive weeks (12 sessions in total). Assessments were performed at screening and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after randomization. Primary feasibility outcomes were patient recruitment, retention rate, and adherence to group treatment. Secondary outcomes included the change of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score from baseline to 16 weeks, the change of Short Form (SF)-12 health survey score, and safety outcomes.

Results: Patient recruitment of 36 patients took 2 months, achieving the recruitment target. Retention rates were similar between the treatment groups, 14 (77.8%) patients in the high-sensitization group completed the 16-week follow-up and compared to 14 (77.8%) patients in low/non-sensitization group, but the result was lower than expected. All patients received at least ten treatment sessions in total. The WOMAC total score and the pain, stiffness, and physical function score in the high-sensitization group were lower or very close to those in the control group at each assessment point. Similar results were observed on quality of life. No adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: This trial has presented preliminary data on the feasibility of conducting a large trial to test the effectiveness of acupuncture at sensitized points in KOA patients.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03008668. Registered on 26 December 2016-retrospectively registered.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Knee osteoarthritis; Sensitized acupoints.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03008668