Electroacupuncture May Improve Osteoarthritis Pain

New evidence suggests that electroacupuncture may help improve pain associated with knee osteoarthritis.

The study included 40 patients with chronic pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. They were randomly assigned to either electroacupuncture or sham treatment daily for 10 consecutive days. In the sham group, needles were inserted into non-acupoints, and no electrical current was used.

Before and after treatment, pain was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis knee and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood samples were also taken.

The authors found that the electroacupuncture group experienced significant improvements in pain compared to the control group. They also found that electroacupuncture led to increases in endorphins (chemicals that reduce pain and improve mood) and reductions in cortisol (a hormone that is secreted in response to stress).

Although promising, additional research is needed to confirm these findings.

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Comments

[nmp]

The basis of acupuncture analgesia is on neurobiological mechanisms invoking the release of endogenous opioids and depression of stress hormone release. The study measured objective markers of pain and found a decrease in this compared to the sham control treatment group. There have been past studies looking at the use of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee. These earlier studies have showed that it may help with that.

However, this study only included 40 patients, which is a small sample size, and the study did not maintain observational bias, as the study was single-blinded (only investigator or subjects blinded) versus double-blinded (both investigator and subjects blinded). Thus, more clinical trials need to be done studying a larger population to evaluate the efficacy a little better.

[rgorensh]

Interesting study on the efficacy of electroacupuncture in reducing knee arthritis pain. It looks as if the results are quite promising. However, the sample size is too small. Additional research is needed. Also, the placebo group combined the acupoints and the electricity aspects of the treatment. Clearer results can be obtained if two placebo groups are used: one that places needles into non-acupoints and one that does not use electricity.

[kaj]

It is great to see new data about the benefits of electroacupuncture. I had the opportunity to shadow an acupuncturist for a day and observe and learn about different treatment methods. Many of the patients we saw were receiving electro-stimulation along with acupuncture for multiple types of joint pain. All of the patients reported experiencing great relief of pain and stiffness with treatments approximately once a month.

[mjohn]

Has anyone seen any comparisons of electroacupuncture vs. acupuncture? Or electroacupuncture versus electrical stimulation? I’m wondering if this combo therapy is overkill. Not that it’d really kill anyone, but we’re talking about putting needles in someone and running electric current through them. I’m not really eager to sign up for either of those things, so I’d want to know that each treatment is inferior to the combo before trying it. I don’t know if the control they used was the best choice.

[harvey234]

I’m curious about the side effects associated with electroacupuncture. Is anyone aware of any major side effects? I know one of the drugs often used for osteoarthritis is acetaminophen, which has been associated with liver problems if used chronically. Since arthritis is a chronic problem, it seems as if patients being treated with acetaminophen would be at risk of liver problems; especially if they drink alcohol.

Perhaps after more research, electroacupuncture will be a good alternative to acetaminophen for those with liver problems, or for those hoping to avoid future liver problems.

[bosky]

In a Chinese study done in 2009, 43 subjects with osteoarthritis underwent electroacupuncture therapy. It was found that the intensity of pain, measured on the VAS score, was significantly reduced after the treatment compared to baseline. It was also found that leg function significantly improved from after treatment. Levels of the inflammatory markers IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were measured before and after the therapy and were both found to significantly decrease with the treatment.

These data further confirm the benefit that electroacupuncture may hold. It may work to decrease pain and restore range of movement by inhibiting inflammatory molecules.

[Katarina]

Acupuncture may seem intimidating because there are needles being put into someone. However, as long as the acupuncturist knows what he or she is doing, then there should not be much pain associated with the process at all. There is minor discomfort, which is totally tolerable and minimal compared to the benefit one can receive from getting treatment.

However, this electoacupunture is a totally different story. I would be concerned about electrical currents running through my body, and I wonder how it's controlled so it does not harm the patient?

[Charlotte]

Just curious, but where does one draw the line between natural treatments and contemporary medicine? Once acupuncture goes electric, surely it can no longer be considered traditional Chinese medicine. It is one thing to trust a licensed acupuncturist informed by thousands of years of tradition to tap into my "life energy;" but I would be leery of allowing a non-physician to run a current through my body.

[Donnie Darko]

To echo mjohn's comment, why did the study compare electroacupuncture only to a sham treatment (needles in non-acupoints)? It would have been much more interesting to study electroacupuncture vs. traditional acupuncture. Is there really a need for the electrical current?

[shiatsu sue]

Yes, the sample size is small in this trial of electroacupuncture for osteoarthritis pain, and blinding seems to be an inherent problem in acupuncture research. How can trained acupuncturist be blinded to whether they have put needles in actual acupoints or sham points? Still, any investigation of a potential treatment for chronic pain is important. Reliable alternatives to drug therapies, or even add-on therapies to help keep drug doses low, may be a key to maintaining quality of life for chronic pain patients.

[Chris N]

I wonder if there is more to the mechanism behind the pain relief? I'm thinking it also may be due to a counter-irritant effect of needles going into the body. Also, I agree with everyone - why didn't they compare electroacupuncture to regular acupuncture? It seems as though sometimes these studies are too obviously designed to produce desired results.

[STruong]

A few months ago, my father hurt his lower back, and he underwent regular acupuncture treatment. After 3 treatments, he told me that his pain decreased to 65 percent. In the future, it would be great if a study was constructed to compare the differences between regular acupuncture and electro acupuncture.

[Don]

Thanks for the posting.

I have seen a lot of material on electroacupuncture, and it has a clear indication of developing into to a excellent osteoarthritis treatment; however, additional research is needed.

Treatments for osteoarthritis are one of the research areas we’ve been working on here in DeLand, Florida. Some of our investigational treatments have shown promising results, but there is a need to do additional research studies to test investigational methods that may help us understand the condition.

[Trevor]

I have been undergoing electroacupuncture on my extremely tight back and neck muscles. I have tried everything under the sun to loosen them. Yoga, physical therapy, massage, even medicine a long time ago (won't go that route any more). Electroacupuncture is the only thing that really showed significant improvement for me right away and with the least pain. I can stretch so much deeper into all of my yoga poses after electroacupuncture on my back. It is incredible how well it works.