The Clinical Research On Knee Osteoarthritis Treated By Warm Needle Moxibustion

Objection:To investigate the clinical effect of Warm Needle Moxibustion in treating Knee Osteoarthritis by randomized control study.Methods:This research was undertaken in Taipei Medical University Hospital (TMUH) in Taiwan,60 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive Warm Needle Moxibustion plus acupuncture (treatment group) or acupuncture (control group) in 2 courses (5 times a week,2 weeks as a course). The clinical effect was evaluated by three different observation forms, WOMAC Index Of Osteoarthritis (WOMAC), SF-36 in Chinese and 6-minute walk on week 0,2 and 4. The therapeutic effect was evaluated with Nimodipine calculating method. The safety parameters were well monitored and analyzed.Results:All randomly assigned participants were analyzed. There is no statistic difference between treatment and control group in age, gender, and the disease average course (P>0.05). Warm needle moxibustion plus acupuncture significantly improved clinical symptoms, stiffness, function, walking distance and quality of life (P<0.05).The scores in WOMAC, SF-36 in Chinese version are significantly improved in treatment and placebo group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. (P<0.05) The score in 6-minute walk is significantly improved in treatment and placebo group after 4 weeks of treatment. Treatment group significantly improved scores in WOMAC and 6-minute walk compared with placebo. (P<0.05)After two courses of treatment, the response rate of treatment group is 93.3%. Among the 30 patients,9 were clinically and basically recovered, 12 had obvious effect,7 had fair effect and 2 had no response. The response rate of controlled group is 86.6%. Among the 30 patients,2 were clinically and basically recovered,10 had obvious effect,14 had fair effect and 4 had no response. Warm needle moxibustion plus acupuncture is a more beneficial for knee OA treatment with acupuncture alone.No adverse effects happened in both groups during the research. Conclusion The clinical research shows that warm needle moxibustion plus acupuncture is more helpful for knee OA. The treatment is well tolerated and offers improved clinical symptoms, stiffness, function, walking distance and quality of life.