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Osteoarthritis of the knee ?
In one of the
largest trials of its kind published to date, researchers in  Maryland have found that acupuncture applied to
specific points on the leg can provide significant pain relief and improve
function in patients who have osteoarthritis of the knee. The results of the
trial, published in the Dec. 21, 2004 issue of the Annals of Internal
Medicine, suggest that acupuncture may be a safe, effective therapy that can
be used in conjunction with other forms of care in the treatment of
osteoarthritis, and that it has the potential to improve the quality of life
for millions of people who suffer from the condition.
To measure the
effects of acupuncture on pain and stiffness in the knee, the scientists
employed a device called the Western Ontario
and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, or WOMAC. WOMAC scores were
taken at baseline, and at four, eight, 14 and 26 weeks after the start of the
trial. Patients in all three groups also completed a short form health survey
(to measure improvements in physical functioning) and a walking test. Pain
scores continued to decrease in the acupuncture group; by the end of the
study, average pain scores among acupuncture patients had decreased more than
twice as much as patients in the education group. The complete study,
“Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the
Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial,” can be ordered from the Annals of
Internal Medicine Web site. For more information, or a free consultation call
the healing arts medical center at (303) 623-1140.
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