Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Fire Needling Versus Electroacupuncture in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis of Kidney and Marrow Deficiency Type / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe and compare the clinical efficacy of fire needling versus electroacupuncture in treating knee osteoarthritis of kidney and marrow deficiency type.Methods One hundred and ten patients with knee osteoarthritis of kidney and marrow deficiency type were randomly allocated to two groups, a fire needling group of 56 cases and an electroacupuncture group of 54 cases. The fire needling group received filiform needle acupuncture and fire needle pricking and the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture. Treatment was given once every other day, for a total of four weeks as one course. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The VAS score and the WOMAC subscores significantly decreased in both groups after treatment compared with those before treatment (P0.05). The VAS score and the WOMAC subscores decreased further in both groups at four weeks after treatment compared with those at the end of treatment (P0.05).Conclusions Both filiform needle acupuncture plus fire needle pricking and electroacupuncture can markedly relieve the pain and stiffness and improve joint function in knee osteoarthritis of kidney and marrow deficiency type. Both have an equivalent short-term therapeutic effect. Filiform needle acupuncture plus fire needle pricking has a better long-term therapeutic effect than electroacupuncture.