Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Wang TT, Liu Y, Ning ZY, et alJournal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science | June 26, 2020
Whether acupuncture affords an efficacious as well as safe treatment option for knee osteoarthritis was investigated, and researchers also intended to afford evidence for its application in clinical practice. For this purpose, they extensively explored 8 databases up to March 2018. They analyzed overall 18 randomized controlled trials with 3,522 participants. The included studies reported comparison of the efficacy of acupuncture with sham acupuncture or no acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis. Findings revealed that acupuncture afforded significant benefits over sham acupuncture or no-acupuncture in terms of relieving pain and improving physical function among patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and to provide evidence for its use in clinical practice.
Methods
Eight databases were extensively searched up to March 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of acupuncture with sham acupuncture or no acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis were included. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were independently conducted by two reviewers. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used for assessing the risk of bias.
Results
A total of 18 RCTs were included, involving a total of 3 522 participants. The results showed that acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture in relieving pain (SMD=−0.34, 95%CI: −0.57 to −0.11, l2=85%, P=0.003) and improving physical function (SMD=−0.34, 95%CI: −0.57 to −0.11, l2=85%, P=0.003). In comparison to the no-acupuncture group, the acupuncture group also showed significant advantages in relieving pain (SMD=−0.79, 95%CI: −1.15 to −0.43, l2=87%, P<0.0001) and improving physical function (SMD=−0.75, 95%CI: −1.19 to −0.31, l2=91%, P=0.0008). Sensitivity analyses suggested that the results were robust, and Egger’s test found no potential publication bias.
Conclusion
In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, the acupuncture group had significant advantages over sham acupuncture or no-acupuncture groups in relieving pain and improving physical function.
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