Using auriculotherapy for osteoarthritic knee among elders: a double-blinded randomised feasibility study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is prevalent in the elderly population.
• Non-invasive complementary therapies are sought due to limitations of pharmacologic treatments for OA knee.
• Auriculotherapy (AT), including laser (LAT) and magneto-auriculotherapy (MAT), warrants investigation for its therapeutic effects and synergistic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of AT for elders with knee OA in a future large-scale study.
• To evaluate the preliminary therapeutic effects of AT on knee OA in the elderly.
• To determine the usability of blinding, treatment acceptance, effect size, and attrition rates for AT protocols.

Main Methods:

• A double-blinded, four-arm randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
• 43 participants with knee OA were randomized into four groups receiving different AT modes or placebo.
• Assessments included pain (NRS), timed-up-and-go test (TUGT), and knee range of motion over a 6-week period.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in pain, mobility, or knee motion were observed between groups post-therapy.
• Relative improvements in pain and TUGT were higher in the combined MAT plus LAT group compared to other groups.
• Significant within-group improvements were noted for MAT and/or LAT groups, but not the placebo group.

Conclusions:

• The AT protocol is feasible for elders with knee OA and suitable for larger studies.
• Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to establish a causal relationship between AT and treatment effects.
• Combined LAT and MAT may offer preliminary benefits for knee OA symptoms.