Chinese acupunture effective for arthritis patients:

http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=37300

[Health India]: Washington, Oct 18: A new study conducted by
researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine,
Baltimore suggests that traditional Chinese acupuncture along with
medical treatment reduces pain and improves function in patients
with knee osteoarthritis.

The researchers studied 570 patients with an average age of 65.5
years, with osteoarthritis of the knee for 26 weeks. They were
divided into three groups with one group undergoing traditional
Chinese acupuncture (needling of a predefined set of points
according to the diagnosis of Bi syndrome). Second doing sham
acupuncture (tapping of needles at the same predefined set of
points) and third participating in the Arthritis Self-Help Course
while continuing their regular medical regimen.

Patients randomized to acupuncture received a total of 23 treatments
from licensed, trained and certified acupuncturists. Patients in the
education group participated in two-hour group sessions over a 12
week-period. All of them were advised to continue regular analgesic
or anti-inflammatory treatment as needed.

Prior to and throughout the study, the patients' arthritis pain and
function levels were compared using the WOMAC Osteoarthritis index,
a questionnaire used to measure pain, function and stiffness of the
knee.

At the end of the trial, there was a greater decrease in pain
subscores and improvement in function subscores for patients in the
acupuncture group than for those in the group receiving sham
acupuncture.

"These data show that traditional Chinese acupuncture provides
clinically important relief of pain and improvement in function in
patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis when added to
background therapy," Marc C, Hochberg,the lead researcher was quoted
as saying. (ANI)