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Acupuncture Better Than Drugs Alone For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Date:
November 24, 2004
Source:
British Medical Journal
Summary:
Acupuncture, as a complementary therapy to drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, is more effective than drug treatment alone, find researchers from Spain in the latest issue of BMJ.
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November 18, 2004 -- Acupuncture, as a complementary therapy to drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, is more effective than drug treatment alone, find researchers from Spain in this week's BMJ.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is common, affecting almost a tenth of the population aged over 55. The role of acupuncture in osteoarthritis remains controversial and few studies comparing acupuncture and drug treatment have been conducted.

A total of 88 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly divided into two groups, one receiving acupuncture plus diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory drug) and the other dummy (placebo) acupuncture plus diclofenac. Treatment lasted 12 weeks and levels of pain, stiffness, and physical function were monitored using recognised scales.

The acupuncture group had a greater reduction in pain and stiffness, improved physical functioning and quality of life than the placebo group.

Although the 12-week monitoring period may be insufficient to evaluate the effects of treatment in the medium term, acupuncture as a complementary therapy to drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee is more effective than drug treatment alone, say the authors.

Future research should extend the observation period after treatment in order to evaluate the duration of the improvement obtained and to establish treatment protocols, they conclude.


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Materials provided by British Medical Journal. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


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British Medical Journal. "Acupuncture Better Than Drugs Alone For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 November 2004. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041123212055.htm>.
British Medical Journal. (2004, November 24). Acupuncture Better Than Drugs Alone For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041123212055.htm
British Medical Journal. "Acupuncture Better Than Drugs Alone For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041123212055.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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