Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degradation of the cartilage that is strongly linked to the inflammation, and resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility. Currently, interventions aimed at reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and enhancing joint mobility are recommend in patients with OA. Although intervention with traditional acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain, inflammation, and improve knee motion, the effects of acupuncture added Sanyinjiao (SP6) point on pain, inflammation and knee motion have never been investigated in patients with knee OA. Twenty-three patients with knee OA were subjected to receive acupuncture added SP6 twice a week for five weeks (totaling ten sessions). Patients were assessed at baseline and after ten sessions of acupuncture added SP6 using knee range of motion measurement, modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index, numerical rating scale, and systemic inflammation levels. After the end of treatment, the knee pain was significantly reduced in patients when compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Addition to improvement in knee pain, knee flexion and extension also showed significant improved compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the low-grade systemic inflammation levels were decreased in patients when compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Therefore, this is the first study to show that acupuncture added SP6 point provides the beneficial effects on pain and inflammation, improving knee motion in patients with knee OA.