Open Access Highly Accessed Study protocol

Moxibustion for treating knee osteoarthritis: study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Seunghoon Lee1,2, Kun Hyung Kim3, Tae-Hun Kim4, Jung-Eun Kim1, Joo-Hee Kim1,2, Jung Won Kang2, Kyung-Won Kang1, So-Young Jung1, Ae-Ran Kim1, Hyo-Ju Park1, Mi-Suk Shin1, Kwon-Eui Hong5, Ho-Sueb Song6, Jin-Bong Choi7, Hyung-Jun Kim8 and Sun-Mi Choi1*

Author Affiliations

1 Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Medical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea

2 Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea

3 Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea

4 Mokhuri Neck and Back Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

5 Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea

6 Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea

7 Department of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dong-Shin University, Gwangju, South Korea

8 Department of Oriental Gynaecology, College of Oriental Medicine, Se-Myung University, Jecheon, South Korea

For all author emails, please log on.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013, 13:59 doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-59

Published: 13 March 2013

Abstract

Background

The treatment of knee osteoarthritis, which is a major cause of disability among the elderly, is typically selected from multidisciplinary options, including complementary and alternative medicine. Moxibustion has been used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in Korea to reduce pain and improve physical activity. However, there is no sufficient evidence of its effectiveness, and it cannot therefore be widely recommended for treating knee osteoarthritis. We designed a randomised controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, and qualitative characteristics of moxibustion treatment of knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care.

Methods/designs

This is a protocol for a multicentre, pragmatic, randomised, assessor-blinded, controlled, parallel-group study. A total of 212 participants will be assigned to the moxibustion group (n = 106) and the usual care group (n = 106) at 4 clinical research centres. The participants assigned to the moxibustion group will receive moxibustion treatment of the affected knee(s) at 6 standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04, and SP10) 3 times per week for 4 weeks (a total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group will not receive moxibustion treatment during the study period. Follow-up will be performed on the 5th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups will be allowed to use any type of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs, and other active treatments. Educational material that explains knee osteoarthritis, the current management options, and self-exercise will be provided to each group. The global scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (K-WOMAC) will be the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales (pain, stiffness, and function) of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36v2 Health Survey, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and the Pain Numerical Rating Scale will be used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of moxibustion. Safety will be assessed at every visit. In addition, an economic evaluation and a qualitative study will be conducted as a mixed-methods approach.

Discussion

This trial may contribute to developing evidence for the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for treating knee osteoarthritis.

Trial registration

Trial registration number: KCT0000130