Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Program on Knee Osteoarthritis in Aging Population: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

IF 2 4区医学 Q2 RHEUMATOLOGY

International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases Pub Date : 2025-08-25 DOI:10.1111/1756-185x.70398

Weihong Zhong, Jiajia Ye, Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu, Xiaoqin Chen, Shanli Yang

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Abstract

Introduction

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative disease that causes pain and disability in older individuals. This study aimed to examine the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rehabilitation program for aging populations with KOA.

Methods

A total of 101 participants with KOA were randomly assigned to either a TCM rehabilitation group (n = 49) or a conventional physical therapy group (n = 52) with a 1:1 allocation ratio for this randomized controlled trial. Participants in the TCM group received acupuncture, massage, and South Shaolin exercise training for 4 weeks, with three sessions per week lasting 50 min per session. Participants in the control group received conventional physical therapies of equal duration and frequency.

Results

Outcomes were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale, the 6-min Walking test (6MWT), the Time Up and Go (TUG) Test, and the Stair-climbing Test. Significant improvements were observed in the WOMAC, VAS, 6MWT, TUG, and Stair-climbing test after a 4-week TCM rehabilitation intervention (p < 0.05). The WOMAC and VAS were found to be decreased at the 4-week follow-up assessments compared to baseline scores (p < 0.05). Only the TUG test showed significant changes in the control group compared with the TCM rehabilitation group (p = 0.043) after 4 weeks post-intervention.

Conclusion

The TCM rehabilitation program improved knee function and reduced pain intensity in aging populations with knee osteoarthritis. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up assessments are needed to draw more definitive conclusions. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000033351, date of registration: May 29, 2020.

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中医药康复治疗老年膝关节骨性关节炎的疗效：一项多中心随机对照试验

膝骨关节炎（KOA）是一种常见的退行性疾病，在老年人中引起疼痛和残疾。本研究旨在探讨中医康复治疗对老年KOA患者的影响。方法将101例KOA患者随机分为中医康复组（n = 49）和传统物理治疗组（n = 52），按1:1的比例进行随机对照试验。中医组的参与者接受了为期四周的针灸、按摩和南少林运动训练，每周三次，每次50分钟。对照组的参与者接受相同时间和频率的常规物理治疗。结果：Western Ontario and McMaster university Osteoarthritis Index （WOMAC）、Visual Analogue Scale （VAS）、膝关节结局调查日常生活活动量表（Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale）、6 min Walking test （6MWT）、Time Up and Go (TUG) test、爬楼梯test（爬楼梯测试）。中医康复干预4周后，WOMAC、VAS、6MWT、TUG、爬楼梯测试均有显著改善（p < 0.05）。与基线评分相比，在随访4周时，WOMAC和VAS评分均下降（p < 0.05）。干预后4周，与中医康复组相比，只有TUG测试显示对照组有显著差异（p = 0.043）。结论中医康复治疗可改善老年膝关节骨性关节炎患者的膝关节功能，减轻疼痛强度。需要精心设计的随机对照试验和长期随访评估来得出更明确的结论。中国临床试验注册号ChiCTR2000033351，注册日期：2020年5月29日。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases RHEUMATOLOGY-

CiteScore

3.70

自引率

4.00%

发文量

362

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases (formerly APLAR Journal of Rheumatology) is the official journal of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology. The Journal accepts original articles on clinical or experimental research pertinent to the rheumatic diseases, work on connective tissue diseases and other immune and allergic disorders. The acceptance criteria for all papers are the quality and originality of the research and its significance to our readership. Except where otherwise stated, manuscripts are peer reviewed by two anonymous reviewers and the Editor.