Efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion plus glucosamine sulfate potassium capsule in treating knee osteoarthritis: a clinical trial / 国际中医中药杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion plus glucosamine sulfate potassium capsule in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 90 participants with KOA in the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University from February 2020 to December 2021 were randomized and assigned into 3 groups, with 30 cases in each group according to the random number table method. The thunder-fire moxibustion group was only treated with thunder-fire moxibustion on Neixiyan and Dubi acupoints, while the medication group was only treated with oral glucosamine sulfate potassium capsule, and the thunder-fire moxibustion plus medication group was treated with thunder-fire moxibustion on Neixiyan and Dubi acupoints combined with oral glucosamine sulfate potassium capsule. All the three groups were treated for 4 weeks. The degree of joint pain and stiffness was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC); the amount of knee joint cavity effusion was detected by ultrasound; the knee circumference was measured to assess the degree of knee swelling.Results:After treatment, the amount of knee joint cavity effusion [(3.21±2.44) mm, (3.73±2.53) mm vs. (4.80±3.07) mm, F=6.82], the WOMAC score [(65.88±30.25), (77.74±28.27) vs. (86.58±31.50), F=7.92], knee circumference [(36.74±2.74) cm, (37.59±2.63) cm vs. (38.51±3.09) cm, F=8.94] in the thunder-fire moxibustion plus medication group and the thunder-fire moxibustion group were lower than those in the medication group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Thunder-fire moxibustion plus oral glucosamine sulfate potassium capsule can reduce the amount of knee joint cavity effusion, WOMAC score and the degree of knee swelling, and the efficacy is better than thunder -fire moxibustion and oral glucosamine sulfate potassium capsule.