Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture

electroacupuncture(EA) and moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Methods A total of eight-four patients with KOA were randomly and equally divided into acupuncture group

EA group and moxibustion group. Neixiyan(EX-LE40)

Dubi(ST35)

Heding(EX-LE2)

Liangqiu(ST34)

Xuehai(SP10)

Zusanli(ST36) and Ashi-point on the affected side of the body were punctured with filiform needles or EA(2 Hz/100 Hz) for 30 min. In the moxibustion group

moxibustion was applied to the surrounding area of the affected joint for 60 min. The treatment was conducted once every other day for 4 weeks. The pain degree was assessed by using numerical rating scale(NRS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) scale(0-240 points) was used to evaluate the severity of KOA. The "Minimal Clinically Important Improvement(MCII)" was used to assess the therapeutic effect after the treatment. Results After the treatment

the scores of NRS

and the pain

stiffness

motor function and total scores of WOMAC were significantly decreased in the three groups compared with their own pre-treatment(P<0.05)

and were obviously lower in the EA and moxibustion groups than in the acupuncture group(P<0.05)

and those of the moxibustion group was notably lower than those of the acupuncture group(P<0.05). Of the 28 cases in the acupuncture

EA and moxibustion groups

11

17 and 22 were effective

with the effective rate being 39.29%

60.71% and 78.57%

respectively. The comprehensive therapeutic effect of the moxibustion group was significantly superior to that of the acupuncture and EA groups(P<0.05). Conclusion All the three different kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion methods have positively regulatory effect on KOA

and moxibustion is the best for reducing the joint pain and stiffness

and improving the motor function.