RESUMO
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of different doses of warm needling in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method Sixty-seven KOA patients were randomized into group A of 16 cases, group B of 17 cases, group C of 18 cases, and group D of 16 cases. Group A, B, and C were intervened by warm needling, 1 moxa cone for group A, 2 cones for group B, and 3 cones for group C. Group D was intervened by intra-articular injection with Sodium hyaluronate. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (LKSS) were evaluated before and after intervention.Result The VAS and LKSS scores were significantly changed in the four groups after intervention (P<0.01). After intervention, the VAS and LKSS scores in group B and C were significantly different from that in group A (P<0.05,P<0.01). After intervention, the VAS and LKSS scores in group B and C were significantly different from that in group D (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Warm needling is an effective method in treating KOA, and warm needling with 2 moxa cones can produce the best effect.