Auricular acupressure for treating early stage of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, sham-controlled prospective study

研究概要

Sixty-two patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive either auricular acupressure (n=31) or a sham-acupuncture procedure (n=31). The following outcome measures were assessed: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC) for knee symptom scores, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption. Significant differences in VAS and WOMAC scores were apparent at 3 and 7 days post-intervention with better scores in the auricular acupressure group. Significant differences were also reported with NSAID use with less patients needing NSAIDs in the control group.