Electroacupuncture vs topical diclofenac sodium gel for patients with hand osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder and a great burden to both patients and society. While electroacupuncture (EA) and topical diclofenac sodium gel (DSG) are both currently used to treat OA, no head-to-head study of EA and topical DSG for hand OA exists. Thus, it remains unknown whether one intervention offers improved outcomes over the other. This study aims to compare the effects of EA and topical DSG in patients with hand OA.

Methods

A total of 108 participants with hand OA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria will be recruited and randomly assigned to the EA group or topical DSG group with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants in the EA group will receive EA treatment thrice weekly for 4 weeks, followed by a 12-week fol

SUBMITTER: Wang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9004119 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature