Effectiveness of true acupuncture as an adjunct to stanard care or electro-physiotherapy in ostheoarthritis of the knee

Aim of investigation: Recently there has been considerable academic debate about the effectiveness of true acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The results from acupuncture studies are inconclusive. The aim of the present research is to find out prospectively the extent of pain relief and improved function in patients (pts) with knee OA after the implementation of 2 weeks standard care treatment followed by 2 weeks classical true acupuncture treatment compared with 2 weeks physiotherapy treatment followed by 2 weeks classical true acupuncture as well. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential of an integrative approach including the complementary treatment of knee OA with a combination of electro-physiotherapy and true acupuncture in a consecutive and more intense manner (according to our local practice). Further research in the conventional and alternative management of knee OA should focus not only on the quality of pts life after treatments, but on the quality of available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options as well.