Effects of CO2 infrared laser moxibustion on patients with knee osteoarthritis

ISRCTN ISRCTN26065334
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN26065334
Secondary identifying numbers ChiCTR-TRC-12002338
Submission date
22/08/2013
Registration date
06/09/2013
Last edited
17/12/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder, is the most common form of arthritis in the world. The knee joint is the most common site affected by osteoarthritis in the oriental population. Joint pain caused by knee osteoarthritis can severely impair the patient’s quality of life. The purpose of this study is to observe whether a Chinese medicinal therapy, infrared laser moxibustion, provides greater relief from pain and joint stiffness and improved function.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 50 years or older, male or female, undergoing knee osteoarthritis treatment can participate in the study.

What does the study involve?
Patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into real and sham laser moxibustion groups. Patients received 10.6 μm infrared laser moxibustion and sham laser moxibustion treatment. Patients in both groups received 20 minutes of treatment, three times per week for 4 weeks. The effects of treatment were assessed before, mid-term (after 2 weeks), at the end (after 4 weeks) and 4 weeks post-treatment termination. Time taken to walk 50 yards was also calculated.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Infrared laser moxibustion can reduce pain and improve knee joint stiffness and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Some patients have had local skin flushing or blistering (not instantly, but usually one day after treatment) at the site of irradiation. Usually the blister was naturally absorbed within a day or two without obvious scarring of the skin.

Where is the study run from?
Longbai Community Health Service Center in Shanghai Minhang District, China.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in August 2010 and recruitment ended in July 2011.

Who is funding the study?
The study was supported by:
1. National Basic Research Program of China
2. National Natural Science Foundation of China
3. The Key Program of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China
4. The Shanghai Municipal Science Foundation

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Xueyong Shen
sxy1@shutcm.edu.cn

Contact information

Prof Xueyong Shen
Scientific

9408, 1200 Cailun Rd.
Shanghai
201203
China

Study information

Study designSingle-centred double-blind randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleEffects of CO2 infrared laser moxibustion on patients with knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled study
Study objectivesThe hypothesis is that the CO2 infrared laser moxibustion can reduce pain and improve knee joint stiffness and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Ethics approval(s)Institutional Review Board of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The study was approved on 14 June 2007.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPatients with knee osteoarthritis
InterventionPatients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into real and sham laser moxibustion groups. Patients received 10.6 μm infrared laser moxibustion and sham laser moxibustion treatment on Dubi (ST-35) leg acupoint symmetrically. Patients in both groups received 20 minutes of treatment, three times per week for 4 weeks.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureWOMAC (VAS3.1) Questionnaire was applied to assess the therapeutic effects in terms of joint pain, stiffness, and functional disorder of the participants after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the treatment initiation, and the long-term effects were also assessed 4 weeks post-treatment.
Secondary outcome measuresThe 50-yard walking time was assessed and recorded among the participants after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the treatment as well as 4 weeks post-treatment to observe improvements in walking. In the follow-up, we asked the participants to assess their therapeutic effects and guess their group assignment to assess the masking effectiveness of the trial. Additionally, the participants would also be asked whether they thought the treatment were safe.
Overall study start date01/08/2010
Completion date31/07/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants190
Key inclusion criteria1. Middle-aged and aged individuals, aged 50 years or older, male or female
2. According to the knee OA diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, radiographic evidence of at least 1 osteophyte at the tibiofemoral joint (Kellgren–Lawrence grade II or III)
3. Moderate or greater clinically significant knee pain on most days during the past month
4. No acupuncture or moxibustion treatment received in the previous 3 months
5. Willingness to be randomly assigned; understanding and signing the informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. Diagnosis with inflammatory arthritis, gout, acute knee joint injury or other knee arthritis (without cartilage involvement), meniscus injury, ligament injury and intra-articular fracture
2. Presence of serious heart diseases, kidney diseases, liver diseases or malignant tumors (unless the patient was surgically treated and with no relapse more than 5 years), systemic infection or contagious diseases
3. Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronate injections (as well as any knee surgery or topical use of medication) during the past 6 months, or previous history of knee surgery
4 Previous experience with drug tests
Date of first enrolment01/08/2010
Date of final enrolment31/07/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

9408, 1200 Cailun Rd.
Shanghai
201203
China

Sponsor information

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China)
University/education

c/o Huangan Wu
650, South Wanping Rd.
Shanghai
200030
China

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00z27jk27

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB522901)

No information available

National Natural Science Foundation of China (81202648)
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Chinese National Science Foundation, Natural Science Foundation of China, National Science Foundation of China, NNSF of China, NSF of China, 国家自然科学基金委员会, National Nature Science Foundation of China, Guójiā Zìrán Kēxué Jījīn Wěiyuánhuì, NSFC, NNSF, NNSFC
Location
China
The Key Program of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China and the Shanghai Municipal Science Foundation (11DZ1973300)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/06/2020 17/12/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

17/12/2020: Publication reference added.