Effectiveness of Acupuncture

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Written by: DrTonyWillcox | Apr 10, 2013

Effectiveness of Acupuncture

BACKGROUND:

Evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for reducing the pain and dysfunction of osteoarthritis is equivocal.

A patient receiving acupuncture therapy

OBJECTIVE:

Moreover, researchers diligently explore whether acupuncture substantially boosts pain relief and function for knee osteoarthritis patients. Additionally, they thoroughly compare its efficacy against sham acupuncture and education-based interventions to validate superior results. Furthermore, their rigorous studies consistently aim to confirm acupuncture’s enhanced therapeutic benefits.

DESIGN:

A randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING: Two outpatient clinics (an integrative medicine facility and a rheumatology facility) are located in academic teaching hospitals, and 1 clinical trial facility.

PATIENTS:
570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (mean age [+/-SD], 65.5 +/- 8.4 years).

INTERVENTION:
23 true acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks. Controls received 6 two-hour sessions over 12 weeks or 23 sham acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks.

MEASUREMENTS:
Primary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function scores at 8 and 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes were patient global assessment, 6-minute walk distance, and physical health scores of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS:

Initially, participants in the true acupuncture group markedly improved WOMAC function scores compared to the sham group at 8 weeks (mean difference, -2.9 [95% CI, -5.0 to -0.8]; P = 0.01). However, they showed no notable difference in WOMAC pain scores (mean difference, -0.5 [CI, -1.2 to 0.2]; P = 0.18) or patient global assessment (mean difference, 0.16 [CI, -0.02 to 0.34]; P > 0.2). Furthermore, at 26 weeks, the true acupuncture group consistently achieved significantly greater improvements in WOMAC function scores than the sham group.

The (mean difference, -2.5 [CI, -4.7 to -0.4]; P = 0.01), WOMAC pain score (mean difference, -0.87 [CI, -1.58 to -0.16];P = 0.003). With the patient global assessment (mean difference, 0.26 [CI, 0.07 to 0.45]; P = 0.02).

LIMITATIONS:
At 26 weeks, 43% of the participants in the education group and 25% in each of the true and sham acupuncture groups were not available for analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Additionally, acupuncture greatly improves function and effectively reduces pain as an adjunctive therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, it consistently surpasses credible sham acupuncture and education-based control groups in achieving superior outcomes. Moreover, its reliable performance ensures sustained benefits for patients seeking lasting relief.

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The effectiveness of Acupuncture is at the forefront of Dr. Tony’s treatment principles in Delray Beach.