R. Mast et al., ACUPUNCTURE AGAINST POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AF TER TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL ON IMMEDIATE EFFECTS, Aktuelle Rheumatologie, 20(4), 1995, pp. 131-134
The analgetic effect of acupuncture in the postoperative period after
total knee replacement was studied in a randomised placebo-controlled
single-blind trial with cross-over in 50 patients. The patients of the
acupuncture group (true treatment group) received a single-session, s
ingle-point acupuncture with manual stimulation of the needle. We used
a special distal point for knee pain located on the homolateral arm a
ccording to the rules of traditional chinese acupuncture. Considering
recent concepts and methods for the evaluation of therapeutic acupunct
ure, the patients of the placebo group (control group) underwent a sim
ulated acupucture were the needle was not inserted into the patient. P
ain before and after treatment was assessed using the visual analogue
scale. Following acupuncture pain reduction was found to be 22% and 36
% after 30 minutes. At both times the difference to the placebo group
was highly significant (p<0,001). Furthermore the results of pain redu
ction during 24 hours indicate that there might be a several hours las
ting intrisic analgetic effect of acupuncture.