The cerebral mechanism of the specific and nonspecific effects of acupuncture based on knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Research on the effect of acupuncture has been limited. Whether the effect of acupuncture is equivalent to placebo has been the focus of debate in this field. This study will explore the specific and non-specific effects of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods and design

Ninety participants diagnosed with KOA will be randomly divided into the acupuncture group, sham acupuncture group, and waiting list group in a ratio of 1:1:1. Except for the waiting list group, the other participants will receive acupuncture or sham acupuncture three sessions per week for 4 weeks respectively. The primary outcome will be the response rate which is defined on an individual basis as at least a 2-point decrease in the num

SUBMITTER: Zhang N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7310547 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature