Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Acupuncture Among Patients with Knee Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pain Management
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Knee pain is a common condition impacting quality of life.
• Acupuncture is a potential therapeutic option for knee pain management.
• Understanding patient perspectives on acupuncture is crucial for its effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of acupuncture among individuals with knee pain.
• To identify factors influencing acupuncture utilization for knee pain.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 337 patients experiencing knee pain.
• Data collected using a structured questionnaire on demographics and KAP regarding acupuncture.
• Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze relationships between KAP components.

Main Results:

• Patients demonstrated limited knowledge (5.87/12), moderately positive attitudes (34.49/50), and low practice scores (16.75/65) for acupuncture.
• SEM revealed that knowledge directly influenced attitude (β=0.634) and practice (β=0.255).
• Attitude directly influenced practice (β=0.520), and knowledge indirectly affected practice via attitude (β=0.330).

Conclusions:

• Patients with knee pain exhibit insufficient knowledge and low engagement with acupuncture, though attitudes are generally favorable.
• Knowledge is a significant predictor of both attitudes and practices related to acupuncture.
• Targeted educational interventions are recommended to enhance patient understanding and promote acupuncture use for knee pain relief in China.