Comparison of Clinical Effects between Acusector and Warm Needling Moxibustion in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis of Blood Stasis Obstruction Pattern

Objective: To compare clinical effects of acusector and warm needling moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis(KOA) of blood stasis obstruction pattern. Methods: Sixty KOA patients were randomized into acusector group and warm needling moxibustion group, they received the therapy by local acupoint selection combined with the acupoints according to syndrome differentiation, warm needling moxibustion group accepted moxa moxibustion at the end of the needle when the patients obtained Qi, two cones each time; the points around the joints were chosen in the acusector group, and acusector instruments were connectted, continuous wave, electrical current flow was regulated, at the degrees of the patients could tolerate and feel comfortable. Both groups were removed the needles in 30 minutes after treating. Once every other day, three times each week, one course of the treatment was four weeks, and all the patients were treated for two consecutive courses of the treatment. Results: Markedly effective rate of acusector group was 56.67%(17/30), higher than 36.67% of warm needling moxibustion group(11/30), the difference showed statistical meaning(P0.05), but there was insignificant difference between both groups in total effective rate(P0.05). The pain of joint in acusector group was relieved remarkably(P0.05), the stiffness of joint in the patients of warm needling moxibustion group was alleviated better(P0.05); acusector group was superior to warm needling moxibustion group in the rehabilitation of daily functional activity(P 0.05). Conclusion: Both acusector and warm needling moxibustion are effective in treating KOA, acusector is better in the time of relieving the pain, while warm needling moxibustion is more effective in alleviating joint stiffness, total effects of acusector are superior to these of warm needling moxibustion.