• Qifei Zhang, Jianqiao Fang, Lifang Chen, Jiayao Wu, Jing Ni, Fang Liu, and Jing Sun.
• The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Rd, Binjiang District, Hangzhou Zhejiang, China.
• Trials. 2020 Mar 14; 21 (1): 264.

IntroductionKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic disease with symptoms of persistent pain or resting pain, joint stiffness, numbness, limitation of activity and even disability, with significant associated costs and effects on individuals' life quality. The use of acupuncture for the management of chronic pain is receiving increasing recognition from both the public and professionals. The aim of this study is to identify the effects of three commonly used acupuncture treatments for KOA.Methods/AnalysisIn a prospective trial involving six hospitals in Zhejiang Province (China), 360 patients with KOA will be included. Eligible patients will be randomized into six groups: Acupuncture, Electro-acupuncture, Mild moxibustion, Warm-needling, Sham acupuncture and Celebrex treatment. Twelve treatment sessions will be performed over a 4-week period. The primary outcome will be the visual analogue scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function scores (the average of the past 3 days) at weeks 2 and 4 and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures will be as follows: the WOMAC pain score and WOMAC stiffness score (the average of the past 3 days); the Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly (PASE); knee joint swelling measurement; the WHO Quality Of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) life quality scale; and the incidence of adverse events.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03563690. Registered on 2rd July 2018.

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