Effect of laser moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis: a multi-site double-blind randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.200217
Author(s):  
Ling Zhao ◽  
Ke Cheng ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Jiong Du ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
...  

Objective To examine the effects of laser moxibustion on pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods A double-blind randomized clinical trial (4-week treatment, 20-week follow-up) was conducted. A total of 392 symptomatic knee osteoarthritis patients with moderate or greater clinically significant knee pain were randomly assigned to laser treatment or sham laser control group (1:1). Twelve sessions of laser moxibustion treatments or sham on the acupuncture points at the affected knee(s) were performed three times a week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measurement was change in WOMAC pain score from baseline to week 4. Results Among the 392 randomized participants, 364 (92.86%) completed the trial. The median WOMAC pain score significantly decreased at week 4 in the active group than in the sham group (2.1; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.6; P < .01). At week 24, compared to the sham laser, active laser treatment resulted in significant pain reduction and function improvement (3.0; 95% CI, 2.5 to 3.6; P < 0.01, and 14.8; 95% CI, 11.9 to 17.6; P < .01, respectively). The physical component of the quality of life significantly improved in the active group than in the sham control at week 4 (3.2; 95% CI, 1.3 to 5.0; P = 0.001) up to week 24 (5.1; 95% CI, 3.3 to 7.0; P < .001). No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusion Laser moxibustion resulted in statistically and clinically significant pain reduction and function improvement following a 4-week treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Keywords: 10.6μm laser moxibustion, knee osteoarthritis, pain, traditional Chinese medicine, phototherapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Zhao ◽  
Ke Cheng ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Jiong Du ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A laser device that mimics traditional moxibustion without smoke may be effective and safe for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted. A total of 392 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly assigned to receive laser treatment or sham control three times a week for 4 weeks with 20-week follow-up. Primary outcomes were changes in the WOMAC pain scores at week 4. Results Among the 392 randomized participants, 364 (92.86%) completed the trial. The median WOMAC pain score significantly decreased at week 4 in the active group than in the sham group (2.2; 95% CI, 1.7 to 2.8; P < .01). At week 24, compared to the sham laser, active laser treatment resulted in significant pain reduction and function improvement (3.3; 95% CI, 2.7 to 3.9; P < 0.01, and 15.7; 95% CI, 12.8 to 18.8; P < .01, respectively). The physical component of the quality of life significantly improved in the active group than in the sham control at week 4 (3.0; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.9; P = 0.002) up to week 24 (5.1; 95% CI, 3.2 to 7.0; P < .001). No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusion Laser moxibustion resulted in statistically and clinically significant pain reduction and function improvement following a 4-week treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Jigao Sun ◽  
Yan Zhao ◽  
Ruizheng Zhu ◽  
Qianglong Chen ◽  
Mengge Song ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public health problem, and currently, few effective medical treatments exist. Chinese acupotomy therapy has been widely used for the treatment of knee OA in China. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of Chinese acupotomy in treating knee OA to inform clinical practice. Methods. We performed a comprehensive search on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and four Chinese databases for articles published prior to June 2020. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used acupotomy therapy as the major intervention in adults with knee OA, were published in either Chinese and English, included more than 20 subjects in each group, and included pain and function in the outcome measures. Knee OA was defined by the American College of Rheumatology or Chinese Orthopedic Association criteria in all studies. We extracted the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score, the total effectiveness rate, the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) activities of daily living score, and Lysholm’s score. We calculated the mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) for all relevant outcomes. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models when appropriate. Results. We identified 1317 potentially relevant studies, thirty-two of which met the eligibility criteria and were conducted in China between 2007 and 2020. A total of 3021 knee OA patients (62.96% female, median age: 57 years, and median disease duration: 33 months) were included. The treatment duration ranged from 1 week to 5 weeks (median: 3 weeks). The typical acupotomy treatment involved releasing soft tissue adhesions and was performed once a week for 1–5 weeks until the pain was relieved. The control group treatments included acupuncture (8 studies), electroacupuncture (10 studies), sodium hyaluronate (8 studies), radiofrequency electrotherapy (1 study), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, 5 studies). The results from the meta-analysis showed that acupotomy led to superior improvements in the VAS pain score (MD = −1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), −1.51 to −0.71; p  < 0.00001) and WOMAC pain score (MD = −2.32; 95% CI, −2.94 to −1.69; p  < 0.00001), a higher total effectiveness rate (RR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09–1.21; p  < 0.00001), and superior improvements in the JOA score (MD = 6.39; 95% CI, 4.11–9.76; p  < 0.00001) and Lysholm’s score (MD = 12.75; 95% CI, 2.61–22.89; p  = 0.01) for overall pain and function. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion. Chinese acupotomy therapy may relieve pain and improve function in patients with knee OA. Furthermore, rigorously designed and well-controlled RCTs are warranted.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matjaz Vogrin ◽  
Jakob Naranda ◽  
Mario Gorenjak ◽  
Tomaz Bajec ◽  
Domen Mongus ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundIn this study we focused on evaluating the effect of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on the qualitative and quantitative properties of the articular cartilage in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsWe evaluated 264 patients undergoing treatment of moderate knee OA. Patients aged between 40 and 70 years were included with articular K-L stage ≤ 2. Patients were randomized into three groups and treated with three doses of intra-articular PRP, HA, or placebo injection. Patients were evaluated clinically and by using T2 mapping.ResultsBoth PRP (619.05 ± 243 ms; p = 2.7 × 10− 5) and HA (637.12 ± 273 ms; p = 1.×10− 4) group showed statistically significant lower post-application T2 relaxation times in comparison to the placebo group (859.80 ± 406 ms).Cartilage thickness increased significantly after PRP (2.41±0.87 vs. 2.58±0.97 mm, p=0.033) and HA (2.28±0.81 vs. 2.80±1.00 mm, p=1.8×10) applications. There was a significant decrease in WOMAC pain score by 30% (p=0,001) and the overall WOMAC score by 27 p=1.9×10-4%) in PRP group. The decrease in WOMAC pain score and the overall WOMAC score in the placebo group was similar to the results observed in the PRP group. In the HA group a significant decrease in WOMAC pain score by 14% (p=0,005) was observed only at the first follow-up, whereas no difference was observed at the second follow-up. ConclusionsT2 mapping of cartilage tissue may aid to monitor its properties after the intra-articular therapies in knee OA. However, there is a discrepancy between clinical findings and the results of T2 mapping, suggesting questionable grounds for applying intra-articular therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ye Zhao ◽  
Zhi Bi Shen ◽  
Ji Rong Ge ◽  
Wen Gang Liu ◽  
Jun Xing Yang ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tongning Gel (TNG) compared to placebo-controlled (PC) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods. A multicentre, randomized, double-blinded, parallel, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was performed in 576 patients (432 patients in the TNG group, 144 patients in the PC group), and 1 in the experimental group withdrew due to nonuse of drug. Patients were randomized to receive TNG or PC applied to knee skin at 3g per time, 2 times per day, which lasted for 3 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score was used to evaluate the primary efficacy of TNG and WOMAC stiffness and physical function and total scores were used to evaluate the secondary efficacy of TNG. All participants who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analysis. This trial has been registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. CTR20131276). Results. Primary efficiency outcome: there were significant differences in the decreased value of WOMAC pain score between two groups (P<0.05), and the decreased value of WOMAC pain score in the TNG group were better than those in the PC group (P<0.05). Secondary efficiency outcome: the WOMAC total score, WOMAC stiffness score, WOMAC physical function score, and the decrease of the above indexes of the two groups of patients after treatment were statistically significant (P<0.05), and the improvement of the above indexes in the TNG group was better than that of the PC group (P<0.05). Safety Evaluation. A total of 42 adverse events were reported by 29 patients: 25 adverse events reported by 16 patients (3.71%) in the experimental group and 17 adverse events were reported by 13 patients (9.03%) in the control group. And 8 adverse reactions were reported by 6 patients including 2 adverse reactions by 2 patients (0.46%) in the experimental group and 6 adverse reactions by 4 patients (2.78%) in the control group. Two cases of significant adverse events occurred in the experimental group. Both groups had one serious adverse event, respectively, which were not relevant to the intervention. Conclusion. These results of the trial demonstrate that TNG is superior to placebo in the treatment of patients with KOA, and TNG can improve other symptoms of KOA, such as stiffness and physical function. TNG is safe for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis as a whole.


Cartilage ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laszlo Hangody ◽  
Robert Szody ◽  
Piotr Lukasik ◽  
Wojciech Zgadzaj ◽  
Endre Lénárt ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intraarticular injection of Cingal (Anika Therapeutics, Inc., Bedford, MA) compared with Monovisc (Anika Therapeutics, Inc., Bedford, MA) or saline for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Design: This multicenter, double-blind, saline-controlled clinical trial randomized subjects with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grades I-III) to a single injection of Cingal (4 mL, 88 mg hyaluronic acid [HA] plus 18 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide [TH]), Monovisc (4 mL, 88 mg HA), or saline (4 mL, 0.9%). The primary efficacy outcome was change in WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) Pain Score through 12 weeks with Cingal versus saline. Secondary outcomes included Patient and Evaluator Global Assessments, OMERACT-OARSI Responder index, and WOMAC Total, Stiffness, and Physical Function scores through 26 weeks. Results: A total of 368 patients were treated (Cingal, n = 149; Monovisc, n = 150; saline, n = 69). Cingal improvement from baseline was significantly greater than saline through 12 weeks ( P = 0.0099) and 26 weeks ( P = 0.0072). WOMAC Pain was reduced by 70% at 12 weeks and by 72% at 26 weeks with Cingal. Significant improvements were found in most secondary endpoints for pain and function at most time points through 26 weeks. At 1 and 3 weeks, Cingal was significantly better than Monovisc for most endpoints; Cingal and Monovisc were similar from 6 weeks through 26 weeks. A low incidence of related adverse events was reported. Conclusions: Cingal provides immediate and long-term relief of osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and function, significant through 26 weeks compared to saline. Cingal had similar immediate advantages compared with HA alone, while showing benefit comparable to HA at 6 weeks and beyond.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiz Muhammad Asim Raza ◽  
Grazina Krutulyte ◽  
Inesa Rimdeikiene ◽  
Raimondas Savickas

Abstract Objectives To identify literature reporting on thermal mineral water and mud therapy effectiveness on pain, stiffness and knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Design Systematic evidence scan of MEDLINE and PubMed was performed to identify the randomized controlled trial studies published from 2004 to December 2018. Study selection Papers reporting the effect of balneotherapy and mud therapy for treating knee OA, a duration of ≥2 weeks and in which Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were used as an outcome measure. Data extraction Not RCT, Studies not in English. Results A quantitative meta-analysis of ten studies (831 patients) was performed. Five clinical studies (407 patients) measured effectiveness of balneotherapy and there was significant difference between the groups in WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score and WOMAC function score, with the differences in favour of balneotherapy. Six clinical studies (500 patients) measured effectiveness of mud therapy and there was significant difference between the groups in WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score and WOMAC function score, with the differences in favour of mud therapy. Conclusion This meta-analysis indicates that balneotherapy and mud therapy were clinically effective in relieving pain, stiffness, and improving function, as assessed by WOMAC score.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Fong Chen ◽  
Chih-Chien Hu ◽  
Chen-Te Wu ◽  
Hung-Ta H. Wu ◽  
Chun-Shin Chang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intra-articular (IA) injection of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) ELIXCYTE® for knee osteoarthritis. Methods This was a patient-blind, randomized, active-control trial consisted of 4 arms including hyaluronic acid (HA) control and 3 ELIXCYTE® doses. A total of 64 subjects were screened, and 57 subjects were randomized. The primary endpoints included the changes from baseline to post-treatment visit of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score at Week 24 and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Results No ELIXCYTE®-related serious adverse events were reported during 96 weeks of follow-up and no suspected unexpected serious adverse reaction (SUSAR) or death was reported. The changes of the primary endpoint, WOMAC pain score at Week 24, showed significant differences in all ELIXCYTE® groups, as well as in HA groups between post-treatment visit and baseline. The ELIXCYTE® groups revealed significant decreases at Week 4 compared to HA group in WOMAC total scores, stiffness scores, functional limitation scores suggested the potential of ELIXCYTE® in earlier onset compared to those from HA. The significant differences of visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSCRS) functional activities score at Week 48 after ELIXCYTE® administration suggested the potential of ELIXCYTE® in the longer duration of the effectiveness compared to HA group. Conclusions ELIXCYTE® for knee osteoarthritis treatment was effective, safe, and well-tolerated. The efficacy results were showed that ELIXCYTE® conferred the earlier onset of reductions in pain scores and improvements in functional scores than HA group. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02784964. Registered 16 May, 2016—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02784964


Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 3858-3868
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Pelletier ◽  
Jean-Pierre Raynauld ◽  
Marc Dorais ◽  
Louis Bessette ◽  
Eva Dokoupilova ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate whether diacerein has comparable efficacy with celecoxib in pain reduction for treatment in symptomatic knee OA patients. Methods This randomized double-blind multicentre non-inferiority trial evaluated diacerein vs celecoxib treatment in patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2–3 and pain scoring ≥4 (10-cm VAS). Patients were randomized to 6 months of treatment with diacerein 50 mg (n = 187) once daily for 1 month and twice daily thereafter, or celecoxib 200 mg (n = 193) once daily. The primary outcome was the change in WOMAC pain score (0–50 cm) at 6 months, and the secondary outcomes were WOMAC sub-scores, VAS pain score, and the OMERACT–OARSI responder rate. Results In the per protocol population, the adjusted mean change from baseline in the WOMAC pain score was –11.1 ( 0.9) with diacerein (n = 140) and –11.8 (0.9) with celecoxib (n = 148). The intergroup difference was 0.7 (95% CI: −1.8, 3.2; P = 0.597), meeting the non-inferiority margin. Supportive analysis of the intention-to-treat population gave similar results. Other outcomes showed no significant difference between treatment groups. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was low and balanced between groups, but a greater incidence of diarrhoea occurred with diacerein (10.2% vs 3.7%). Diarrhoea was considered mild-to-moderate in all but one case with complete resolution. Conclusions Diacerein was non-inferior to celecoxib in reducing knee OA pain and improving physical function. Diacerein also demonstrated a good safety profile. Trial registration A multicentre study on the effect of DIacerein on Structure and Symptoms vs Celecoxib in Osteoarthritis is a National Institutes of Health (NCT02688400) and European Clinical Trial Database (2015–002933-23) registered phase III (Canada) or IV (Europe) study.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 1666-1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu-Lu Lin ◽  
Yong-Ting Li ◽  
Jian-Feng Tu ◽  
Jing-Wen Yang ◽  
Ning Sun ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain relief and function improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to determine the feasibility of an eight-week acupuncture intervention. Design: Pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: Three teaching hospitals in China. Subjects: Patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren grade II or III). Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to an eight-week (three sessions per week) intervention of either traditional Chinese acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Main measures: The primary outcome was response rate—the proportion of patients achieving score ⩾36% decrease in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function at week 8 compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes included pain, function and quality of life. Results: Of 42 patients randomized, 36 (85.7%) completed the study. There was no significant difference in response rate between the traditional Chinese acupuncture and control groups: 61.9% (13 of 21) versus 42.9% (9 of 21) achieved score ⩾36% decrease in WOMAC pain and function at week 8 ( P = 0.217). The sum of WOMAC pain and function scores at week 8 was 11.6 (9.1) in the traditional Chinese acupuncture group compared with 16.3 (10.9) in the control group ( P = 0.183). There was no significant difference between groups. Three adverse events were recorded and were classified as mild. Conclusion: It showed that three sessions per week acupuncture intervention of knee osteoarthritis was feasible and safe. No difference was observed between groups due to small sample size. Larger (sample size ⩾ 296) randomized controlled trials of this intervention appear justified.


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