Effects of Electroacupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jae-Woo Shim, Jae-Young Jung, Sung-Soo Kim, Jae-Woo Shim, Jae-Young Jung, Sung-Soo Kim

Abstract

Purpose. This study aims to verify the effects of electroacupuncture treatment on osteoarthritis of the knee. Methods. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, AMED, CNKI, and five Korean databases were searched by predefined search strategies to screen eligible randomized controlled studies meeting established criteria. Any risk of bias in the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan version 5.3 software. Results. Thirty-one randomized controlled studies of 3,187 participants were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis was conducted with eight studies including a total of 1,220 participants. The electroacupuncture treatment group showed more significant improvement in pain due to knee osteoarthritis than the control group (SMD -1.86, 95% CI -2.33 to -1.39, I2 75%) and in total WOMAC score than the control group (SMD -1.34, CI 95% -1.85 to -0.83, I2 73%). Compared to the control group, the electroacupuncture treatment group showed more significant improvement on the quality of life scale. Conclusion. Electroacupuncture treatment can relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knees and improve comprehensive aspects of knee osteoarthritis and the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the study selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Assessment of risk of bias.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effects of EA treatment versus control interventions on pain intensity. EA: electroacupuncture.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of EA treatment plus drug therapy versus drug therapy alone on pain intensity. EA: electroacupuncture.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effects of EA treatment versus sham EA on pain intensity. EA: electroacupuncture.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effects of EA treatment versus sham EA on pain intensity (meta-analysis using change scores from baseline). EA: electroacupuncture.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Effects of EA treatment versus control group interventions on WOMAC total scores. EA: electroacupuncture; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Effects of EA treatment versus control on the SF-36 physical scale. EA: electroacupuncture; SF-36: 36-item Short-Form Health Survey.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Effects of EA treatment versus control on mental state-related QOL. EA: electroacupuncture; QOL: quality of life.

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