Auricular acupressure for treating early stage of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, sham-controlled prospective study

Abstract

Objective We examined whether auricular acupressure (AA) at four specificially preselected AA points can alleviate knee pain and decrease non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption and its adverse effects for osteoarthritis patients. Methods 62 patients (more than 40 years) with knee osteoarthritis of Kellgren–Lawrence grades of I or II upon radiographic classification were enrolled in this randomized, sham-controlled prospective study, and divided into two groups (AA group and control group). The AA group received true AA by embedding vaccaria seeds at four specific AA points (knee joint, shenmen, subcortex, sympathesis) ipsilateral to the knee osteoarthritis site, while the control group received four nonacupuncture points on the auricular helix. Visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, the number of the patients needed celecoxib pills and adverse effects were recorded. Results VAS and WOMAC scores in AA group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05) at d3 and d7 postsugery. The VAS and WOMAC score were significance decreased after the treatment in AA group compared with that before the treatment (P < 0.05). The use of celebrex is significantly lower in AA group than the control group (P < 0.05), no major side effects were observed during the auricular acupressure treatment. Conclusion Auricular acupressure plays a role in analgesic effect and can effectively decreased NSAIDs requirements without causing adverse events for the treatment of human knee osteoarthritis.

Observation of the therapeutic effect of auricular bean pressing on early knee osteoarthritis pain: A randomized controlled trial

“…These two acupoints play key roles in inhibiting the inflammatory response of the knee joint, improving intraosseous circulation, and reducing knee joint pain. Additionally, Zhang et al [ 33 ] demonstrated that auricular acupressure on the acupoints, such as the knee joint and subcortex, plays a part in relieving analgesia and effectively decreasing NSAID requirements without inducing adverse effects when treating KOA.…”

Effective Oriental Magic for Analgesia: Acupuncture

“…Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine conducted a randomized, sham-controlled prospective study and found that auricular acupressure was analgesic and did not cause any adverse events in the treatment of KOA, and was effective in reducing the use of NSAIDs. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis conducted by Wu et al found that patients treated with transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) were less dependent on opioid analgesics after surgery compared to controls [57]. A large retrospective cohort study by Timothy et al found that acupuncture shows significant advantages in complete opioid discontinuation compared with NSAIDs.…”

Effectiveness of Yijinjing exercise in the treatment of early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial protocol

“…Proper management of early-stage KOA13 14 could arrest the disease process, restore joint homeostasis, and thereby reduce the burden of disease 11. Early-stage KOA is a type of KOA that is symptom-focused for diagnosis 11 15.…”

“…9 10 Early-stage KOA, as a possible Window of Opportunity to prevent the disease process and improve the quality of life, should be given enough attention. 11 12 Proper management of early-stage KOA 13 14 could arrest the disease process, restore joint homeostasis, and thereby reduce the burden of disease. 11 Early-stage KOA is a type of KOA that is symptom-focused for diagnosis.…”