Acupuncture at Myofascial Trigger Points Versus Conventional Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

IF 2.5 3区医学 Q2 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Journal of Pain Research Pub Date : 2025-09-11 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.2147/JPR.S545853

Chao Zhang, Hongfei Xue, Jiankang Xu, Aifeng Liu, Kuiliang Gao, Longyao Zhang

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Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease that significantly impacts pain and mobility. Acupuncture targeting Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs), guided by the "pain as acupoint" strategy, has been proposed as a more precise intervention approach.

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy of MTrP acupuncture versus conventional acupuncture in patients with early- to mid-stage KOA.

Methods: In this assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial, 106 KOA patients (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II/III) will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either conventional meridian-based acupuncture (Group A) or acupuncture targeting both meridian points and MTrPs (Group B). Both groups will receive treatment five times weekly for two weeks. The primary outcome is the response rate, defined as a ≥2-point reduction in VAS and ≥6-point improvement in WOMAC function score. Secondary outcomes include pressure pain threshold (PPT), three-dimensional gait analysis, and patient acceptability.

Results: This study is expected to demonstrate whether MTrP acupuncture provides superior pain relief and functional improvement compared to conventional acupuncture.

Conclusion: Findings will contribute novel clinical evidence for optimizing individualized acupuncture strategies in the management of KOA.

Trial registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR2300073707, Registered on July 19, 2023.

Abstract Image

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针刺肌筋膜触发点与传统针刺治疗膝骨关节炎：一项随机对照试验方案。

背景：膝关节骨关节炎（KOA）是一种常见的退行性关节疾病，严重影响疼痛和活动能力。针刺针对肌筋膜触发点（MTrPs），在“痛即穴位”策略的指导下，被认为是一种更精确的干预方法。目的：比较MTrP针刺与常规针刺治疗早中期KOA的疗效。方法：在这项评估盲随机对照试验中，106例KOA患者（kelgren - lawrence分级II/III）将被随机分配（1:1）接受传统经络针灸（A组）或针对经络点和MTrPs的针灸（B组）。两组患者每周接受五次治疗，持续两周。主要终点是缓解率，定义为VAS评分降低≥2分，WOMAC功能评分改善≥6分。次要结局包括压痛阈值（PPT）、三维步态分析和患者可接受性。结果：本研究旨在证明与传统针刺相比，MTrP针刺是否能提供更好的疼痛缓解和功能改善。结论：研究结果将为优化个体化针灸治疗KOA提供新的临床依据。试验注册：ChiCTR， ChiCTR2300073707, 2023年7月19日注册。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Pain Research CLINICAL NEUROLOGY-

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

3.70%

发文量

411

审稿时长

16 weeks

期刊介绍： Journal of Pain Research is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal that welcomes laboratory and clinical findings in the fields of pain research and the prevention and management of pain. Original research, reviews, symposium reports, hypothesis formation and commentaries are all considered for publication. Additionally, the journal now welcomes the submission of pain-policy-related editorials and commentaries, particularly in regard to ethical, regulatory, forensic, and other legal issues in pain medicine, and to the education of pain practitioners and researchers.