• Ziyong Ju, Xianhui Guo, Xu Jiang, Xin Wang, Shimin Liu, Jinsen He, Huashun Cui, and Ke Wang.
• College of Acumox and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai 201203, China; Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai 201203, China.
• Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015 Jan 1; 8 (10): 18981-9.

BackgroundTo assess the efficacy of Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation with high-intensity compared with low-intensity on knee osteoarthritis (KOA).MethodsParticipants with KOA were randomized to either high-intensity EA group or low-intensity EA group. EA was applied unilaterally on the affected leg with the local points GB34, ST34, EX-LE4, EX-LE5, ST36, and SP9. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were measured before and after participation. Plasma TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and apelin levels were also assessed by enzyme immunoassay (ELA) before and after treatment.ResultsOf 80 participants who consented to study participation, 77 completed the program. The patients showed a significant improvement in their pain, stiffness, and physical function on the VAS and WOMAC, accompanying with a significantly reduction in plasma levels of apelin and TNFα. Furthermore, high-intensity group exhibited statistically significant improvements in stiffness and physical function symptoms compared with low-intensity group. Plasma level of IL-6 was significantly decreased only after high-intensity EA treatment. Furthermore, apelin level was significantly inhibited in high-intensity EA group than in low-intensity EA group.ConclusionsBoth high- and low-intensity EA treatments alleviate the clinical symptoms of KOA patients. High-intensity EA is more effective than low-intensity EA. Changes in plasma levels of TNFα, apelin and IL-6 may be involved in the therapeutic effect of EA on KOA.

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