Riassunto dello studio

Seventy-eight patients with early ankle osteoarthritis were randomized to receive electroacupuncture plus strength training (n=37) or strength training alone (n=36). The primary outcomes of interest were changes in the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS). Secondary outcomes included spatiotemporal gait parameters, gait profile score (GPS), gait deviation index (GDI), and gait variable scores (GVS), assessed through 3D gait analysis at baseline and after 4 weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the addition of electroacupuncture significantly improved pain, function, stride length, and gait quality compared to strength training alone. These findings suggest electroacupuncture is an effective adjunct therapy for improving clinical symptoms and biomechanical function in early-stage ankle osteoarthritis.