Acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip: a randomized, controlled trial with an additional non-randomized arm

METHODS: In a randomized, controlled trial, patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee or hip were randomly allocated to undergo up to 15 sessions of acupuncture in a 3-month period or to a control group receiving no acupuncture. All patients were allowed to receive usual medical care in addition to the study treatment. Clinical OA severity (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) and health-related quality of life (Short Form 36) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months and 6 months. 357 were randomized to the acupuncture group and 355 to the control group. RESULTS: At 3 months, the WOMAC had improved more in the acupuncture group than the control group. Similarly, quality of life improvements were more pronounced in the acupuncture group versus the control group.