A study published in the journal Rheumatology (2006; 45(2):222–227) evaluated the effects of acupuncture in 736 patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing pain levels and overall quality of life.
On average, patients received just over eight acupuncture treatments. Following treatment, participants reported significant improvements in pain and quality-of-life measures. These benefits were not only observed immediately after the treatment period but were also maintained during a six-month follow-up assessment, suggesting sustained symptom support.
