[Point-pricking method with fire needle for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial].

To observe the effects of point-pricking method with fire needle on the symptoms of knee joint and physio-psychological health in the patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Sixty six patients with KOA were randomly divided into a fire needling group (33 cases) and a filiform needling group (33 cases). The patients received the point-pricking method with fire needle in the fire needle group while the conventional acupuncture with filiform needle was provided in the filiform needling group. The basic health management was performed in both groups. The acupoints included bilateral Liangqiu (ST34), Xuehai (SP10), Dubi (ST35), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Yanglingquan (GB34) and Zusanli (ST36) as well as Ashi points. The treatment was conducted twice a week for 6 weeks consecutively. Before and after treatment, the scores of Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and visual analogue score (VAS), the numbers of affected areas of knee joint pain and the scores of 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) were assessed and the incidence of adverse effects was recorded.The score for pain, stiffness and function, as well as the total score of WOMAC were all reduced (P<0.05), the score of TCM symptoms, VAS score and the numbers of the affected areas of knee joint pain were lower (P<0.05) after treatment when compared with those before treatment within group. After treatment, the score of each domain of SF-12 (i.e. general health, physical function, role-physical, vitality, role-emotional, physical component summary and mental component summary) was higher in comparison to those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), while the scores of bodily pain, mental health and social functioning in SF-12 were increased in the fire needling group (P<0.05). Compared with the filiform needling group, the score of joint function and the total score in WOMAC and VAS score were reduced remarkably (P<0.05), and general health score in SF-12 was more obviously increased (P<0.05) in the fire needling group after treatment. None adverse effects were found in either group.The point-pricking method with fire needle is safe and effective when compared with conventional acupuncture with filiform needle. In the aspects of improving knee joint function, relieving joint pain and advancing the quality of life, the point-pricking method with fire needle is superior to the conventional acupuncture with filiform needle.目的:观察火针点刺对膝关节骨关节炎(KOA)患者膝关节症状及生理、心理健康等方面的影响。方法:将66例KOA患者随机分为火针组和毫针组, 每组33例。两组均进行基础健康管理, 取穴为双侧梁丘、血海、犊鼻、内膝眼、阳陵泉、足三里及阿是穴, 火针组接受火针点刺治疗, 毫针组采用普通毫针治疗, 每周治疗2次, 连续治疗6周。治疗前、后比较两组患者西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数(WOMAC)评分、中医症状评分、疼痛视觉模拟量尺(VAS)评分、膝关节疼痛地图个数、生活质量量表SF-12评分, 记录不良反应发生情况。结果:与治疗前比较, 火针组与毫针组治疗后WOMAC疼痛、僵硬、关节功能和总分均降低(P<0.05), 中医症状评分、VAS评分、膝关节疼痛受累区域个数均降低(P<0.05), SF-12量表中总体健康、生理功能、生理职能、活力、情感职能、生理健康状况、心理健康状况评分均升高(P<0.05), 火针组躯体疼痛、心理健康、社会功能评分升高(P<0.05);治疗后, 与毫针组比较, 火针组WOMAC关节功能评分和总分、VAS评分降低(P<0.05), SF-12量表中总体健康评分升高(P<0.05)。两组均未出现不良反应。结论:火针点刺与毫针治疗KOA均安全有效, 其中火针点刺在改善患者膝关节功能、缓解膝关节疼痛、提高生活质量方面作用优于毫针。.