Effects of accupuncture on pain and impairment in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip

Objectives: The effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with ost eoarthritis of the hip was tested. Design: This is a prospective, randomize d, controlled patient and examiner blinded clinical trial. Patients and set ting: The study was performed at a university department for physical medic ine and rehabilitation. Sixty-seven patients were separated into two treatm ent groups. Interventions: Group 1 (treatment) had traditional needle place ment and manipulation, whereas in group 2 (control) needles were placed awa y from classic positions and not manipulated. In both groups needles were p laced within the L2 to L5 dermatomes. Endpoints were pain (VAS), functional impairment (hip score), activity of daily living (ADL) and overall satisfa ction before treatment, 2 weeks and 2 months post-intervention. Results: Fo r all endpoints there was a significant improvement in both groups 2 weeks and 2 months following treatment versus baseline, but no significant differ ence between the two treatment groups. Conclusions: We conclude from these results that needle placement in the area of the affected hip by itself imp roves symptoms of osteoarthritis. It appears to be less important to follow the rules of traditional acupuncture techniques.