To Evaluate the Combined Effect of Acupuncture with Moxibustion on Pain Management in Chronic Osteoarthritis of Knees: A Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a chronic progressive musculoskeletal disorder characterized by stiffness, pain and impaired movement. There are reports as regards to the influence of acupuncture and Moxibustion for the pain management and range of motion in osteoarthritis of knee patients. However, to find the effectiveness between the acupuncture and Moxibustion with that of acupuncture alone this study was evaluated to find the difference between the two interventions. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of acupuncture with Moxibustion on pain management in chronic osteoarthritis of knees. METHODS: Out of 100 subjects, 80 subjects with Chronic Osteoarthritis of Knees, were randomly selected into study and control group based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the study group received treatment of Acupuncture with Moxibustion on acupuncture points GB-34, UB-40, K-10, St-36, Liv-7 and the control group received treatment of Acupuncture points GB-34, UB-40, K-10, St-36, Liv-7 for 20 minutes 6 days/week for 2 weeks (12 days). Baseline and post-test assessments of WOMAC and range of motion were measured just before and immediately after 12 days of intervention. Statistical analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 21.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp) value α=0.05 level was considered as significant. RESULTS: Results of this study showed a significant reduction in WOMAC score and increased range of motion in both the Study Group and Control Group. Between group analysis showed a significant reduction in WOMAC score and range of motion in the Study Group than Control Group. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the acupuncture with Moxibustion is effective in increasing the range of movement and pain management in osteoarthritis of knee patients than acupuncture alone