In a study of 1,007 patients with osteoarthritis knee pain, both acupuncture and sham acupuncture improved knee pain compared with standard treatment of doctor visits and anti-inflammatory drugs (Article, p. 12).

About 53 percent of the acupuncture group said they had less pain and better function at 26 weeks, compared to 51 percent of the sham acupuncture group and 29.1 percent of the no-acupuncture group.

All participants could receive six physical therapy treatments and could take anti-inflammatory medications as needed.

Authors say the study supports using acupuncture in "multimodal treatment" of patients with knee osteoarthritis, "even if the mechanisms of its effects remain unclear."

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Annals of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet for July 4, 2006

Contact: Susan Anderson
American College of Physicians