title: A blinded randomised trial of acupuncture (manual and electroacupuncture) compared with a non-penetrating sham for the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of acupuncture (manual and electroacupuncture) with that of a non-penetrating sham ('placebo' needle) in patients with osteoarthritic knee pain and disability who are blind to the treatment allocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acupuncture naïve patients with symptomatic and radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly allocated to a course of either acupuncture or non-penetrating sham acupuncture using a sheathed 'placebo' needle system. Acupuncture points for pain and stiffness were selected according to acupuncture theory for treating Bi syndrome. Both manual and electrical stimulation were used. Response was assessed using the WOMAC index for osteoarthritis of the knee, self reported pain scale, the EuroQol score and plasma beta-endorphin. The effectiveness of blinding was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 34 patients in each group. The primary end point was the change in WOMAC pain score after the course of treatment. Comparison between the two treatment groups found a significantly greater improvement with acupuncture (mean difference 60, 95% CI 5 to 116, P= 0.035) than with sham. Within the acupuncture group there was a significant improvement in pain (baseline 294, mean change 95, 95% CI 60 to 130, P<0.001) which was not seen by those who had sham acupuncture (baseline 261, mean change 35, 95% CI -10 to 80, P=0.12). Similar effects within group, but not between groups, were seen with the secondary end points of WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC function, and self reported pain. One month after treatment the between group pain difference had been lost (mean difference 46; 95% CI -9 to 100, P=0.10) although the acupuncture group was still benefiting compared to baseline (mean difference 59; 95% CI 16 to 102, P=0.009). The EuroQol score, a generic measure of health related quality of life, was not altered by the treatments. A minority of patients correctly guessed their treatment group (41% in the acupuncture group and 44% in the control group). Plasma beta-endorphin levels were not affected by either treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture gives symptomatic improvement for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, and is significantly superior to non-penetrating sham acupuncture. The study did not confirm earlier reports of release of plasma beta-endorphin during acupuncture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. Ronald.Jubb@uhb.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jubb
authors.forename: Emad S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Tukmachi
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dempsey
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brailsford
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin