Validating a Nonacupoint Sham Control for Laser Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective: The goals of the present study were to evaluate the effect and safety of combined 10.6 mu m and 650 nm laser acupuncture-moxibustion on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to validate a nonacupoint sham control for assessing the effect of point specificity on the treatment. Materials and Methods: A randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted in an outpatient clinical setting on patients with knee OA (n = 40). Laser irradiation was performed on acupoint Dubi (ST35) and a sham point three times a week for 4 wk. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline and at wk 2 and 4 using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: At the 2-wk assessment, i.e., after 6 treatments, improvement in the WOMAC pain score of the acupoint group was significantly greater than that of the control group (49.21% vs. 11.99%, respectively; p = 0.021). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the WOMAC physical function score (p = 0.129) or joint stiffness score (p = 0.705). No side effects were found during the trial. Conclusions: Combined 10.6-mu m-650-nm laser acupuncture-moxibustion on acupoint ST35 is safe to use and was effective after 2-wk treatment, but not at the 4-wk assessment, in relieving knee OA pain compared to a nonacupoint sham control. A larger clinical trial to verify our findings is warranted.