Targeting acupuncture to highly sensitive knee points may improve osteoarthritis symptoms more than treatment at less sensitive points or delayed care.
This multicentre randomised controlled trial assigns adults with knee osteoarthritis to acupuncture at highly sensitised points, acupuncture at low or non-sensitised points, or a waiting-list comparison group. Treatment allocation is centrally randomised, while outcome assessors and data analysts are blinded. The main outcome is change in knee osteoarthritis symptoms and function over sixteen weeks, assessed using a standard osteoarthritis questionnaire.
The study tests whether individualised acupuncture directed at disease-sensitive points produces greater symptom improvement than acupuncture at less sensitive points and no immediate acupuncture. Results will be analysed using both all randomly assigned participants and those who follow the treatment protocol, with additional planned analyses examining whether effects differ across participant subgroups.
