The effect of Fu's subcutaneous needling in treating knee osteoarthritis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

研究概要

Sixty-two patients with early or medial-stage knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN; n=30) or electroacupuncture (EA; n=30). The primary outcome was the Lysholm score, assessing knee function, pain, and joint stability. Secondary outcomes included joint range of motion (ROM) and equilibrium function, evaluated over a 3-month follow-up. Overall, FSN demonstrated greater improvements in knee function, pain relief, and balance metrics compared to EA, with significant differences in claudication, swelling, and joint stability. These findings suggest that FSN offers an effective and sustained non-pharmacologic intervention for knee osteoarthritis.