Acupuncture, in all modalities, effectively alleviates pain and enhances function in knee osteoarthritis, posing as a vital non-drug treatment option.
In the methodology, this umbrella review of various systematic reviews and meta-analyses examined the impact of different acupuncture types on adults with knee osteoarthritis. Searches were made on a myriad of databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP, and the most superior evidence was handpicked. The Modified Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (R-AMSTAR) was used in determining the methodological quality of the reviews.
Discussing the results, most acupuncture methods registered consistent improvements in pain management and physical function among patients. Acupuncture provided meaningful enhancements in pain and joint function when compared with sham acupuncture, normal care, and waiting-list. Electroacupuncture improved joint stiffness and response rates better than pharmaceutical treatments, whereas acupuncture matched non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs' efficiency. In comparison to Tui Na or massage, acupuncture had a slower onset but provided similar or slightly inferior function and stiffness improvements. The chances of gastrointestinal complications were reduced as the registered adverse events were usually mild and local. The effectiveness of acupuncture was most visible at the end of the treatment and during short-term follow-ups that lasted less than three months.
