A randomized, controlled trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (December 21, 2004; 141(12):901–910) examined acupuncture in 570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Participants were assigned to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture over a 26-week period.
Outcomes were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at weeks 8 and 26. Differences in WOMAC scores were observed between groups, with higher scores reported in the acupuncture group. The authors noted changes in pain and functional measures when acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture and education control groups.
