ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03563690Updated Jun 8, 2023

Different Kinds of Acupuncture Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis

An interventional study of treatment1 and treatment2 in Knee Osteoarthritis, sponsored by Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 40 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-06-08.

Sponsored by Zhejiang Chinese Medical University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
360
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
40 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) a chronic disease with symptoms of persistent pain or rest pain , joint stiffness, numbness, limitation of activity and even disability, with significant associated costs and effects on individuals' life quality. Acupuncture as an approach for the management of chronic pain, is receiving increasing recognition from both the public and professionals. The aim of this study is to indicate the effects of three commonly used acupuncture treatments for KOA.

Read the detailed description

360 subjects with KOA recruited from six centers will be randomized to six groups ,and receive four-week acupuncture, Electro-acupuncture, Moxibustion ,Warm-needling ,sham-needle, celebrex treatment. The primary outcomes are Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and WOMAC function score.The Secondary outcomes are WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score,the Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly (PASE),knee joint swelling measurement and WHO-BREF life quality scale.The follow-up period is six months. This study will be a rigorous,randomized, sham and drug controlled trial focusing on using different kinds of acupuncture treatment for treating KOA.

02

Conditions studied

  • Knee Osteoarthritis

Keywords

  • KOA
  • Acupuncture treatment
  • Multi-center RCT
03

In context

Osteoarthritis, Knee

3,391 studies on the registry are indexed under Osteoarthritis, Knee; 628 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 360 is above the median of 69 across 2,808 interventional studies indexed under Osteoarthritis, Knee.

Browse Osteoarthritis, Knee studies →

Lead sponsor

Zhejiang Chinese Medical University is the lead sponsor of 24 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
40 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Meet the Clinical Classification Criteria for Osteoarthritis of the Knee, diagnosed by specialist.
  2. Aged 40-75 years old;
  3. History of chronic knee pain for more than 3 months, and complain of knee pain on most days of the past month;
  4. Kellgren and Lawrence Grades 1-3;
  5. With related knee pain in one or both knees rated > 4 cm on a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale(VAS) (VAS:0 to 10)
  6. Who volunteer to participate and sign the consent form .

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Knee osteoarthritis patients with gout, infection, tumor, autoimmune diseases, trauma or other causes of knee pain or knee deformities;
  2. Patients who have local skin damage, poor skin conditions or coagulant dysfunction and patients who are not suitable for acupuncture;
  3. Patients who are accompanied with serious medical problems or mental disorders, cognitive dysfunction,disorders of shallow sensation or who cannot cooperate with the treatment;
  4. Patients who have received acupuncture or needle knife in the past month;
  5. Other patients who are not suitable for acupuncture treatment.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
360 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Acupuncture group

    When recruited from six centers,the participant will be randomized to six groups .In acupuncture group participant will receive four-week acupuncture treatment(three times a week )continuously for 4 weeks,12 treatments in total. The follow-up period is six months.

    Other: treatment1

  • Experimental
    Electro-acupuncture group

    When recruited from six centers,the participant will be randomized to six groups. In this group participant receive four-week electro-acupuncture treatment(three times a week )continuously for 4 weeks,12 treatments in total. The follow-up period is six months.

    Other: treatment2

  • Experimental
    Moxibustion group

    When recruited from six centers,the participant will be randomized to six groups. In this group participant receive four-week moxibustion treatment (three times a week )continuously for 4 weeks,12 treatments in total. The follow-up period is six months.

    Other: treatment3

  • Experimental
    Warm-needling group

    When recruited from six centers,the participant will be randomized to six groups. In this group participant receive four-week warm-needling treatment (three times a week )continuously for 4 weeks,12 treatments in total. The follow-up period is six months.

    Other: treatment4

  • Sham comparator
    Sham-needle group

    When recruited from six centers,the participant will be randomized to six groups.In this group participant receive four-week sham acupuncture treatment (three times a week )continuously for 4 weeks,12 treatments in total. The follow-up period is six months.

    Other: treatment5

  • Active comparator
    Celebrex group

    When recruited from six centers,the participant will be randomized to six groups . In this group participant will receive Celebrex (Celebrex, Capsules, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd)treatment, which will be applied 1 time daily(one time oral 0.2g) for 4 weeks. The follow-up period is six months.

    Drug: Celebrex

Interventions

  • Othertreatment1

    1. Acupoints:Liangqiu(ST34),Xuehai(SP10),Neixiyan(EX-LE4),Dubi(ST35),Yanglingquan (GB34)and Yinlingquan (SP9) 2. operation: the needles will be manipulated using techniques including lifting, thrusting, twisting, and rotating, until De Qi is achieved for 30 minutes.

  • Othertreatment2

    1. Acupoints:Needling points are the same to the above group 2. operation: The electrode will be connected Neixiyan (EX-LE4) and Dubi (ST35) and electrode wire will be connected to the electro-acupuncture apparatus using dilatational wave with a frequency of 2/100 Hz, the current intensity is within participants'tolerance, for 30 minutes.

  • Othertreatment3

    1. Acupoints:treating points are the same to the above group 2. Operation: During treatment, participants will choose to sit with knee buckling natural 90 degrees ,with the affected knee(s) exposed. Mild moxibustion are applied at the distance of 2-3 cm away from the skin of both the Neixiyan (EX-LE4) and Dubi (ST35) for 30 minutes.

  • Othertreatment4

    1. Acupoints:Needling points are the same to the above group 2. Operation: Warm-needling acupuncture are applied at both Neixiyan (EX-LE4) and Dubi (ST35). That is to insert one zhuang(about 2cm)of Huai Qing Ai on the top of the needle, and burn the moxa at the lower end ,each acupoint applied 2 Zhuang for 30 minutes.

  • Othertreatment5

    1. points:Sham Liangqiu(ST34),Sham Xuehai(SP10), Sham Neixiyan(EX-LE4), Sham Yanglingquan(GB34),Sham Yinlingquan (SP9) 2. Operation: Sham acupuncture with non-meridian and non-acupoint needling method, respectively acupuncture 1cm away lateral to the above sham acupoints with a 0.18 \* 25mm single-use needle with the depth of 1-2mm.

  • Drug: Celebrex (Celebrex, Capsules, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd), which will be applied 1 time daily( taken 0.2g one time orally ) Time of treatment :4 weeks Other Name: celecoxib

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Score change

    Intensity of pain range (lately 3 days' average): 0 =no pain to 10 =worst possible pain. Higher score indicating severe pain.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks, 4 weeks ,3 months,6months

  2. WOMAC function change

    The WOMAC function subscale referred to the participant's ability to move around and perform usual activities of daily living. The WOMAC function subscale was comprised of 17 questions regarding the degree of difficulty experienced due to OA in the study knee. The WOMAC function subscale score for each question ranged from 0 (minimum) to 4 (maximum), higher scores signified worse physical function. An overall score range of 0 (minimum) to 68 (maximum), with higher scores indicating worse physical function.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks,4 weeks ,3 months,6months

Secondary outcomes

  1. WOMAC pain change

    The WOMAC pain subscale referred to the patient's pain. It was comprised of 5 items, with each item scored from 0 (minimum) to 4 (maximum), where 4 indicated worst pain condition. An overall score range of 0 (minimum) to 20 (maximum), with higher scores indicating worse physical function.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks,4weeks ,3 months,6months

  2. WOMAC stiffness change

    The WOMAC stiffness subscale was comprised of 2 questions regarding the degree of stiffness experienced in the study knee. The WOMAC stiffness subscale score for each question ranged from 0 (minimum) to 4 (maximum), higher scores signified worse stiffness. An overall score range of 0 (minimum) to 8 (maximum), with higher scores indicating more stiffness.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks,4 weeks ,3 months,6months

  3. PASE change

    Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly was comprised of 36 questions regarding physical activity of elderly's house hold,leisure,work performance with different score weight.The higher scores indicating better physical activity.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks,4 weeks ,3 months,6months

  4. Quality of life change

    WHO-BREF 36-Item Form assessing quality of life was comprised of 26 items which measured the following broad domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment.With higher scores indicating better quality of life.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks,4 weeks ,3 months,6months

  5. Knee swelling measurement change

    0-3 score indicating swelling and average Knee circumference of three times.

    Time frame: baseline,2 weeks, 4 weeks ,3 months,6months

  6. Expectancy questionnaires

    Expectancy questionnaires were comprised of two brief items assessing the expectancy of the patients about acupuncture(or/and)moxibustion.

    Time frame: baseline

07

Study locations

1 site
  • The third affiliated hospital of Zhejiang CMU
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G, Abramson S, Altman RD, Arden N, Bierma-Zeinstra S, Brandt KD, Croft P, Doherty M, Dougados M, Hochberg M, Hunter DJ, Kwoh K, Lohmander LS, Tugwell P. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Feb;16(2):137-62. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2007.12.013. PubMed 18279766 ↗
  • Gelber AC. Conventional medical therapy for osteoarthritis: current state of the evidence. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2015 May;27(3):312-7. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0000000000000164. PubMed 25784383 ↗
  • Holla JF, van der Leeden M, Knol DL, Roorda LD, Hilberdink WK, Lems WF, Steultjens MP, Dekker J. Predictors and outcome of pain-related avoidance of activities in persons with early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a five-year followup study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Jan;67(1):48-57. doi: 10.1002/acr.22381. PubMed 24905958 ↗
  • WHO Scientific Group on the Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions at the Start of the New Millennium. The burden of musculoskeletal conditions at the start of the new millennium. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2003;919:i-x, 1-218, back cover. PubMed 14679827 ↗
  • Xiang YJ, Dai SM. Prevalence of rheumatic diseases and disability in China. Rheumatol Int. 2009 Mar;29(5):481-90. doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0809-z. Epub 2008 Dec 6. PubMed 19066899 ↗
  • Woolf AD, Pfleger B. Burden of major musculoskeletal conditions. Bull World Health Organ. 2003;81(9):646-56. Epub 2003 Nov 14. PubMed 14710506 ↗
  • Sun J, Liang Y, Luo KT, Shao XM, Tu MQ, Wu XT, Liu F, Li XW, Chen YD, Zhang QF, Ji CH, Li RR, Li XY, Xu F, Fang JQ. Efficacy of Different Acupuncture Techniques for Pain and Dysfunction in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Ther. 2025 Apr;14(2):737-751. doi: 10.1007/s40122-025-00713-x. Epub 2025 Feb 17. PubMed 39961986 ↗
  • Zhang Q, Fang J, Chen L, Wu J, Ni J, Liu F, Sun J. Different kinds of acupuncture treatments for knee osteoarthritis: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2020 Mar 14;21(1):264. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-4034-8. PubMed 32171318 ↗

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Apr 23, 2018
  • Informed consent form · Apr 23, 2018

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Ran from Jul 2018 to primary completion in Oct 2021, 39 months.

Of 1,143 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Osteoarthritis, Knee, half reached primary completion within 18 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 36. This study's 39 months is above that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 1,285 studies reached it within 18 months; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 36.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
May 17, 2018
First posted
Jun 20, 2018
StartActual
Jul 3, 2018
Primary completionActual
Oct 28, 2021
CompletionActual
Dec 31, 2022
Last update
Jun 8, 2023
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 8, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03563690
Lead sponsor
Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Collaborators
The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jiaxing TCM Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM, Zhejiang Hospital, Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou, China, Zhejiang Provincial Tongde Hospital
Responsible party
Jianqiao Fang (President, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 20, 2018
Start date
Jul 3, 2018
Primary completion
Oct 28, 2021
Completion
Dec 31, 2022
Last update
Jun 8, 2023

Study contacts

Jianqiao Fang, Ph.D,M.D
principal investigator · Zhejiang CMU

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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