RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effect of Laser Moxibustion for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multisite, Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 924
OP 932
DO 10.3899/jrheum.200217
VO 48
IS 6
A1 Ling Zhao
A1 Ke Cheng
A1 Fan Wu
A1 Jiong Du
A1 Yue Chen
A1 Ming T. Tan
A1 Lixing Lao
A1 Xueyong Shen
YR 2021
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/48/6/924.abstract
AB Objective. To examine the effects of laser moxibustion on pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods. A double-blind randomized clinical trial (4-week treatment, 20-week follow-up) was conducted. A total of 392 symptomatic knee OA patients with moderate to severe clinically significant knee pain were randomly assigned to laser treatment or sham laser control group (1:1). Twelve sessions of laser moxibustion or sham laser treatments on the acupuncture points at the affected knee(s) were performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measurement was change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (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 decreased significantly at Week 4 in the active group than in the sham group (2.1, 95% CI 1.6–2.6, P < 0.01). At Week 24, compared to the sham laser, active laser treatment resulted in significant pain reduction and function improvement (3.0, 95% CI 2.5–3.6, P < 0.01, and 14.8, 95% CI 11.9–17.6, P < 0.01, respectively). The physical component of the quality of life significantly improved in the active group vs the sham controls at Week 4 (3.2, 95% CI 1.3–5.0, P = 0.001) up to Week 24 (5.1, 95% CI 3.3–7.0, P < 0.001). 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 OA.