Effects of Warm Needle Acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi Lotion in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the effect of warm needle acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi lotion on the levels of IL-1, TNF-α, and MMP-3 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods. Eighty patients with knee osteoarthritis admitted to our hospital from October 2019 to June 2021 were recruited and assigned via the random number table method at a ratio of 1 : 1 to receive either Xitong Waixi lotion (conventional group) or warm needle acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi lotion (combined group). Outcome measures included clinical efficacy, inflammatory cytokine level, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, and adverse reactions. Results. Warm needle acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi lotion was associated with a significantly higher clinical efficacy versus Xitong Waixi lotion alone ( P = 0.006 ). Patients in the combined group had significantly lower levels of interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) than those in the conventional group ( P = 0.020 ). Warm needle acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi lotion resulted in significantly lower WOMAC scores and VAS scores and higher HSS scores for the patients versus Xitong Waixi lotion ( P = 0.012 ). The two groups had a similar incidence of adverse events ( P = 0.068 ). Conclusion. Warm needle acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi lotion effectively alleviates the inflammatory response and knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, with significant clinical effects and a high safety profile.

Warm Acupuncture in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint

“…It is found that this combination therapy with addition of Modified Danggui Sini Decoction could achieve good results in the treatment of KOA, significantly reducing the symptoms of knee pain and swelling, and improving the function of the knee joint [10]. Sheng Guangyun used a randomized number table to divide the 80 patients into a conventional group, which received Xitong Waixi lotion treatment, and a combined group, which was treated with warm acupuncture on top of the former and found that the clinical efficacy of the combined group was significantly improved after treatment (p=0.006) [11].…”

Retracted: Effects of Warm Needle Acupuncture plus Xitong Waixi Lotion in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi, as publisher, following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [ 1 ]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of systematic manipulation of the publication and peer-review process.…”