Acupuncture can provide sustained pain relief and improved physical function for knee osteoarthritis for several months after treatment, though benefits depend on the comparison treatment.
The review searched major medical databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis, including follow-up assessments after treatment ended. It examined changes in pain, physical function, stiffness, overall osteoarthritis symptoms, treatment response, and physical and mental health, comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture, usual care, anti-inflammatory medication, no treatment, and exercise-based physical therapy.
Across the included trials, acupuncture generally improved pain and function for several months after treatment compared with usual care, anti-inflammatory medication, and in some outcomes sham acupuncture. Results against no treatment were less consistent, and acupuncture did not add clear long-term benefit when combined with exercise-based physical therapy. Overall, acupuncture appeared safe and offered durable symptom improvement for many patients with knee osteoarthritis.
