Effects of Electroacupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Purpose. This study aims to verify the effects of electroacupuncture treatment on osteoarthritis of the knee. Methods. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, AMED, CNKI, and five Korean databases were searched by predefined search strategies to screen eligible randomized controlled studies meeting established criteria. Any risk of bias in the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan version 5.3 software. Results. Thirty-one randomized controlled studies of 3,187 participants were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis was conducted with eight studies including a total of 1,220 participants. The electroacupuncture treatment group showed more significant improvement in pain due to knee osteoarthritis than the control group (SMD −1.86, 95% CI −2.33 to −1.39, I 2 75%) and in total WOMAC score than the control group (SMD −1.34, CI 95% −1.85 to −0.83, I 2 73%). Compared to the control group, the electroacupuncture treatment group showed more significant improvement on the quality of life scale. Conclusion. Electroacupuncture treatment can relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knees and improve comprehensive aspects of knee osteoarthritis and the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Electroacupuncture is Beneficial for Primary Dysmenorrhea: The Evidence from Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Consistent with our current report, some previous meta-analyses of nonpharmacological interventions on PD focused on the acupuncture [ 27 ], acupressure [ 25 , 53 ], moxibustion [ 54 ], aromatherapy massage [ 55 ], Chinese herbal medicine [ 56 ], transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [ 57 ], vitamin E [ 58 ], and oral Ginger [ 59 ]. Meanwhile, many meta-analyses about EA have emerged in the recent three years, indicating that EA could provide a positive therapeutic effect for cardiac anesthesia and intensive care [ 60 ], knee osteoarthritis [ 61 ], acute ischemic stroke [ 17 ], and tinnitus [ 62 ]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on EA in the treatment of PD.…”

Scoping review of systematic reviews of complementary medicine for musculoskeletal and mental health conditions

“… 153 Acupuncture (compared with other active interventions): Two new SRs confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture for OA of the knee, with moderate-quality evidence in a large sample compared with active interventions and placebo. 154 155 …”

Osteoarthritis year in review 2017: rehabilitation and outcomes

“…Three SRs 60e62 evaluated the clinical effects of acupuncture 60 , or electro-acupuncture 61 in patients with knee OA. The quality of the SRs was variable and ranged from 4 to 9.…”

“…The aim of the SR of Shim et al 61 was to verify the clinical effects of electro-acupuncture treatment on OA of the knee compared to manual acupuncture, sham treatment or usual care (analgesics or physiotherapy). The electro-acupuncture group showed significant reduction in pain compared to the control group (all other treatments) (SMD: À1.86, 95%CI À2.33 to À1.39, and heterogeneity: I 2 ¼ 75%).…”