ST34,35,36; SP9,10; BL40; KI10; GB33,34; LI8; extraordinary points EX-LE2, Xiyan. Additionally, physicians selected and needled at least two distant points from the following selection. Physicians were instructed to achieve Deqi
Minimal acupuncture treatment entailed superficial insertion of fine needles at predefined, distant nonacupuncture points
30 min
12 sessions of 30 min duration, administered over 8 weeks
SP 6, GB34, ST36,40, and extra point Xiyan and 4 distal points (BL 60, GB39, SP9, and KI3) all participants in the treatment group achieved the “Deqi” sensation
Acupuncturists inserted 2 needles into the sham points in the abdominal area, of each point for a total of 20 minutes
20 min
23 true acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks.23 sham acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks
No adverse effects were associated with acupuncture
Five obligatory acupoints and three adjunct acupoints were used in MA groups. The obligatory acupoints included ST35, EX-LE5, LR8, GB33, and an Ashi point
In the SA group, eight nonacupoints which were away from the conventional acupoints without needle manipulation for Deqi
For each treatment 10 commonly used local points (ST34, 35, 36; EX-LE2, EX-LE5, GB33, 34; SP9, 10; LR8) and between three and four acupuncture points from 11 distal points (GB31, 36, 39, 41, ST40, 41, LR3, BL60, SP6, KI3, and LI4) were selected. We instructed acupuncturists to achieve “Deqi”
needles were inserted vertically about 3–5 mm into non-acupoints without manipulation in the sham acupuncture group.
20 min
Acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups received treatments three sessions per week for eight weeks
A total of three adverse events were recorded: (2 : 1)
Local points were SP9, 10, ST34, 35, 36, EX-LE5, GB34, and trigger points. Distal points were LI4, TH5, SP6, LV3, ST44, KI3, BI60, and GB41.Needles were manipulated to achieve the Deqi sensation
Participants randomized to receive advice and exercise plus, nonpenetrating acupuncture
The local points GB34, SP9, EX-LE5, and ST36. The distal points were KI3, SP6, LI4, and ST40. A WQ-10D1 electrostimulator was used to stimulate all the needles inserted into the local points
The same specialist carried out the placebo acupuncture, at the same frequency and for the same duration as for the group receiving the true intervention
The treatment lasted 12 weeks
Three patients who reported bruising at one of the acupuncture points (SP9)
A combination of local and distal acupuncture points were used: LI 4, SP9, 10, EX-LE4, GB 34, ST36, LI3, BL40, 57. Manual acupuncture treatment was given with the elicitation of Deqi
One patient had a flare of synovitis of the study knee and withdrew; the synovitis was not septic
30 min
Two groups received treatment twice weekly, from baseline visit to week five
Local points ST36, 40, SP9, 10, GB34, Ex-LE 2, and Ex-LE5 as well as the distal points LI4, KI3, ST40, and SP6. At each point, the patient confirmed the Deqi sensation (a feeling that indicates effective needling). Starting from the third session, the ES-160 electrostimulator ITO co.
Retractable needles were placed into small adhesive cylinders, so that the needles were supported but did not perforate the skin
GB34, SP 9, ST 35,36, and EX-LE4 the distal points (located near the ankles) selected were UB 60, GB 39, SP 6, and KI 3 for a total of 9 points until deqi sensation.
The Streitberger non penetrating needle was used in the sham acupuncture.
20 min
Treatment once or twice a week for a maximum of 12 total treatments
Adverse effects were increased pain(n =38),muscle soreness(n =8), and swelling (n = 11)
①T ≈ S ②T ≈ S ③T ≈ S ④T ≈ S ⑤T ≈ S ⑥T ≈ S ⑨T ≈ S ⑩T ≈ S
GB34, SP6, 9 ear-knee, and 1–2 tender Ashi points proximal to the knee. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was applied to outer EX-LE4,5 and SP6,9. Sham acupuncture were inserted at sham points
26 patients had exacerbation of knee pain, 22 had bruising at the needle site, 3 reported muscle cramps, 1 patient reported headache, and 1 patient had infection at the needle site
20 min
Three times a week, the treatment lasted for 6 weeks, 18 times in total
Patients received 2 treatments per week (TCA or sham) for 6 weeks
Obligatory:ST34,36, Xiyan, SP9, SP10, GB34, until deqi. Optional: 1–4 Ahshi points; bilateral according to traditional Chinese medicine: 1–2 of 16 defined distant points
No proximity to traditional acupoints: 3 at the lower limb,1 at the upper limb, and 1 at the arm, without Deqi
20-30 min
10 acupuncture sessions administered over a 6-week period began
A total of 285 patients had at least 1 adverse event (91: 97)
① T ≈ S ② T ≈ S ③ T ≈ S
TG true acupuncture; SA: sham acupuncture; stomach 34, Liangqiu 35, Dubi 36, Zusanli 40, Fenglong 41, Jiexi; spleen 6 Sanyinjiao, 9 Yinlingquan, 10 Xuehai; bladder 40 Weizhogn, 60 Kulun; kidney 10 Yinggu; gall bladder 31 Fengshi, 33 Xiyangguan, 34 Yanglingquan, 36 Waiqiu, 39 Xuanzhong, 41 Zulingqi; liver 3 Taichong 8 Ququan, EX-LE2 Heding, EX-LE4 Neixiyan, EX-LE5 Waixiyan; kidney 3 Taixi; large intestine 4 Hegu; ① WOMAC pain, ② WOMAC function, ③ WOMAC stiffness, ④ WOMAC index, ⑤ SF-36(mental), ⑥ SF-36(physical, ⑦ SF-12(physical), ⑧ SF-12(mental), ⑨ Patient Global Assessment, ⑩ Six-Minute Walk ⑪ Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS Pain), ⑫ VAS, ⑬ Quality Of Life (QOL).
