Therapeutic Observation of Electronic Mild Moxibustion Equipment in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electronic mild moxibustion equipment in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Method Sixty-six eligible patients were randomized into a mild moxibustion equipment group of 33 cases and a moxibustion group of 33 cases. The mild moxibustion equipment group was intervened by electronic mild moxibustion equipment, and the moxibustion group was treated with moxibustion. In the two groups, same acupoints were selected, including Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Dubi (ST35), Xuehai (SP10) and Liangqiu (ST34), and the treatment lasted for 4 weeks. The WOMAC scores of the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Result The WOMAC scores dropped significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.001), and the score of the mild moxibustion equipment group was significantly lower than that of the moxibustion group (P<0.05).Conclusion Electronic mild moxibustion equipment and moxibustion both can effectively mitigate joint pain and improve knee joint function, but the moxibustion equipment can produce a more significant effect in improving the joint function than moxibustion.