RESUMO
To assess the efficacy in providing improved function and pain relief by administering 8 weeks of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy to standard care in elderly patients with OA of the knee. This randomized, controlled, blinded trial was conducted on 55 patients with OA of the knee. Forty-one patients completed the study (26 females, 15 males, mean age ± SD 71.7 ± 8.6 years). Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group that received biweekly acupuncture treatment (n = 28) and a control group that received sham acupuncture (n = 27), both in addition to standard therapy, for example, NSAIDS, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, acetaminophen, intra-articular hyaluronic acid and steroid injections. Primary outcomes measures were changes in the Knee Society Score (KSS) knee score and in KSS function and pain ratings at therapy onset, at 8 weeks (closure of study) and at 12 weeks (1 month after last treatment). Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction and validity of sham acupuncture. There was significant improvement in all three scores in both groups after 8 and 12 weeks compared with baseline (P < .05). Significant differences between the intervention and control groups in the KSS knee score (P = .036) was apparent only after 12 weeks. Patient satisfaction was higher in the intervention group. Adjunctive acupuncture treatment seems to provide added improvement to standard care in elderly patients with OA of the knee. Future research should determine the optimal duration of acupuncture treatment in the context of OA.
RESUMO
The main goal of geriatric rehabilitation reconditioning following an acute illness is rapid restoration of normal activity. Key elements are pain control, restoration of bowel function, sleep, appetite and general well being, alongside physical activity. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of acupuncture as an adjunct to medical and physical rehabilitation in geriatric patients. The setting was a university-affiliated large city general hospital. The participants comprised 27 consenting consecutive patients in a subacute geriatric rehabilitation department. The interventions consisted of biweekly acupuncture treatment in conjunction with medical and physical therapy. The outcome measures of pain, appetite, quality of sleep, bowel function and general well being were assessed using a 10-point Likert scale at the onset and close of treatment. The results showed that a significant post-treatment improvement was seen in pain (p=0.005), appetite (p=0.0034), bowel function (p=0.029) and general well being (p=0.0012) scores in patients' treatment when compared with pretreatment baseline scores. The "quality of sleep" score showed a trend towards improvement (p=0.073). In conclusion, acupuncture may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment in geriatric postacute illness rehabilitation. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further assess the role of acupuncture as part of treatment management for restoring normal physical activity in geriatric patients.