Effect of acupuncture plus sitting-position knee adjustment on the TCM symptom score and knee range of motion in patients with degenerative knee arthritis
Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture plus sitting-position knee adjustment on the TCM symptom score and knee range of motion in patients with degenerative knee arthritis.Methods One hundred patients with degenerative knee arthritis were randomized to observation and control groups,with 50 cases in each group.The control group received sitting-position knee adjustment and the observation group,acupuncture at exercise acupoints in addition.The TCM symptom score,degenerative change indicators[matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1),cathepsin D(CAT-D)and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1)],serum inflammatory factors[interleukin-1(IL-1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)],the visual analog scale(VAS)score and knee joint function[the Lysholm knee score scale(LKSS)score and maximum knee range of motion]were observed in the two groups before and after treatment.Results After treatment,the joint swelling,joint range of motion and perigenual tenderness scores decreased significantly in the two groups(P<0.05)and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,serum MMP-9,MMP-1,CAT-D and TIMP-1 decreased significantly in the two groups(P<0.05)and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,serum IL-1,TNF-α and IL-6 levels decreased in the two groups compared with before and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the VAS score decreased significantly and the knee range of motion and the LKSS score increased in the two groups(P<0.05)and the VAS score was lower and the knee range of motion and the LKSS score were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture plus sitting-position knee adjustment can reduce inflammatory factors levels and pain severity in patients with degenerative knee arthritis,improve knee function and range of motion and decrease the degree of degenerative change.
Acupuncture therapyKnee adjustmentOsteoarthritis,KneeKnee range of motion