Self-Administered Acupressure Eases Knee Osteoarthritis Pain, finds JAMA Study

Researchers have found that self-administered acupressure can provide some relief from symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a randomized trial conducted in Hong Kong. The trial compared patients who performed acupressure on themselves twice daily with those who received an educational program on knee health. Patients performing the acupressure experienced reductions in pain scores compared to controls, suggesting a potential low-cost alternative or adjunct to traditional treatments for knee OA.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition among older adults, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. While antiplatelet therapy is recommended for acute ischemic stroke, new approaches such as acupressure are being explored to provide additional symptom relief. Acupressure, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine, involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. This study was published in JAMA Network Open by Yeung and colleagues.

The study included 314 patients aged 50 and older, who were randomly assigned to perform twice-daily acupressure on themselves or receive an educational program on knee health. The acupressure group targeted eight recognized acupressure points, while the education group received information on exercise, weight loss, drug treatments, and traditional Chinese therapeutic diets.

The primary outcome was self-reported pain scores on a 10-point scale after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Western Ontario-McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form-6 Dimensions (SF-6D), Timed Up and Go results, and fast gait speed.

The key findings of the study were:

  • The acupressure group experienced a reduction in pain scores with a mean difference of -0.54 points after 12 weeks (95% CI -0.97 to -0.10 points, P=0.02).

  • SF-6D utility scores improved significantly in the acupressure group compared to the control group (mean difference 0.03 points, 95% CI 0.003-0.01).

  • Other measures, such as WOMAC and Timed Up and Go results, did not differ significantly between groups.

  • Both groups showed improvements from baseline in most secondary measures.

The findings suggest that self-administered acupressure may offer a viable alternative or adjunctive treatment for knee osteoarthritis, providing moderate relief in symptoms such as pain and quality of life measures. Patients showed high acceptability and compliance with the self-administered acupressure training program, highlighting the potential for widespread adoption.

The study supports the use of self-administered acupressure as a cost-effective option for managing knee osteoarthritis. While limitations such as unblinded design and potential cultural predispositions may affect the results, acupressure remains a promising alternative for symptom relief in knee osteoarthritis.

Reference:

Yeung, W.-F., Chen, S.-C., Cheung, D. S. T., Wong, C. K.-H., Chong, T. C., Ho, Y. S., Suen, L. K. P., Ho, L. M., & Lao, L. (2024). Self-administered acupressure for probable knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and older adults: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(4), e245830. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.5830

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