Observation On The Difference Of Clinical Efficacy Between Acupoint Application Of Traditional Chinese Medicine And Acupuncture In The Treatment Of Knee Osteoarthritis(Wind-cold-dampness Type)

Objective: To explore the difference and characteristics of acupoint application therapy compared with acupuncture therapy in the treatment of KOA with wind-cold-dampness syndrome.Methods: Through the clinical study of double simulation,72 patients with knee osteoarthritis of wind-cold-dampness arthralgia type were randomly divided into sham acupuncture combined with acupoint application group(group A)and acupuncture combined with placebo application group(group B).The corresponding therapy was used for 4 weeks and followed up at the 8th week of enrollment.The osteoarthritis index scale(WOMAC)score and pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score were evaluated at baseline phase and the second week of enrollment.The WOMAC score,VAS score and overall efficacy were evaluated at the 4th week of enrollment.WOMAC score and VAS score were evaluated at the 8th week.Results:1.There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups.2.The total effective rate was 85.7 % in group A and 82.4 % in group B.There was no significant difference between the two groups.3.Comparison of scores within the group: The VAS score,WOMAC pain score,WOMAC stiffness score,WOMAC dysfunction score,and WOMAC total score of the two groups were statistically different during the treatment period and the follow-up period compared with before treatment.There was no significant difference in WOMAC stiffness score between the follow-up period and the second week in group A;the WOMAC stiffness score in the follow-up period of group B was statistically different from that in the baseline period and the treatment period.4.Comparison of scores between groups: VAS score,WOMAC pain score,WOMAC dysfunction score and WOMAC total score of group A were lower and statistically significant at the second week of enrollment,while WOMAC stiffness score was not significantly different from group B.There was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at the 4th week and the 8th week.Conclusion: Both traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application therapy and acupuncture therapy can effectively alleviate knee osteoarthritis of wind-cold-dampness arthralgia type.The acupoint application of traditional Chinese medicine is more rapid in relieving pain and alleviating dysfunction,but it is not sustainable in alleviating joint stiffness.Therefore,it is more appropriate for patients with pain and dysfunction to choose acupoint application of traditional Chinese medicine,while acupuncture is more appropriate for patients with stiffness as the main manifestation.