Chronic knee pain is common condition that disturbs daily activities. A systematic review evaluated the effects of acupuncture on pain and function in patients with chronic knee pain. Studies were selected in which adults with chronic knee pain or osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized to receive either acupuncture treatment or a control consisting of sham (placebo) acupuncture
Combining five studies in 1334 patients, acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture for both pain and function. The differences were still significant at long-term follow-up. Acupuncture was also significantly superior to no additional intervention.
Conclusions is that Acupuncture that meets criteria for adequate treatment is significantly superior to sham acupuncture and to no additional intervention in improving pain and function in patients with chronic knee pain.
One study has shown that the acupuncture groups showed superior pain improvement and physical function in the short term (up to 13 weeks).
Another study has shown that acupuncture was associated with significantly reduced chronic knee pain at 12 weeks.
Research has also shown that The effect of acupuncture may be associated with dose of acupuncture, with a higher dosage related to better treatment outcomes in terms of relief of pain and dysfunction in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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Sun N et al,Acupunct Med. 2019;37:261–267.
