Acupuncture for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A clinical practice guideline

• DOI: 10.1111/jebm.12526
• Publication Date: 2023-03-31T07:45:56Z
• Authors: Xiaochao Luo; Jiali Liu; Qianrui Li; Jiping Zhao; Qiukui Hao; Ling Zhao; Yemeng Chen; Pengbin Yin; Ling Li; Fanrong Liang; Xin Sun
• Keywords: WOMAC; Certainty; Evidence-Based Medicine; Guideline

Is acupuncture effective in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA)?Although increasingly used the clinical setting, is not mentioned or weakly recommended guidelines for treatment of KOA.We suggest rather than no adult KOA (weak recommendation, moderate certainty evidence), and combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone when symptoms are severe duration 4-8 weeks depending on severity response discussing patients shared decision-making.This rapid recommendation was developed following Making GRADE Irresistible Choice (MAGIC) methodological framework. First, specialist identified topic demand evidence. Then independent evidence synthesis group performed a systematic review to summarize available evaluate using approach. Finally, produced recommendations practice through consensus procedure.The linked meta-analysis included 9422 patients, 61.1% whom were women. The median mean age 61.8 years. Compared treatment, had beneficial effect improving Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score (moderate WOMAC pain (very low stiffness (low function evidence) subscale scores. usual care, improved evidence). Subgroup analyses showed different effects improvement scores by durations whether NSAIDs, but difference between manual electroacupuncture found.Compared suggested reduce pain, stiffness, disfunction ultimately patient's health status. Acupuncture can be as an alternative therapy care ineffective there adverse reactions so that longer continue treatment. Manual improve status KOA. values preferences should considered selecting