Table 4

Change in outcome parameters after 4 weeks of treatment*.


Treatment groups




Parameter
Placebo (n = 45)
Diclofenac (n = 49)
EA (n = 46)
Combined (n = 46)
p-valuea

Number of paracetamol taken (tablets taken per week)
-5.16 (2.33)
-4.43 (1.90)
-7.89 (2.09)
-5.13 (2.06)
NS
50 feet-walk time (sec)
-2.70 (0.52)
-3.52 (0.46)
-4.41 (0.70)
-4.13 (0.54)
NS
VAS
-22.86 (4.02)
-32.99 (3.94)
-48.24 (3.59)
-35.59 (2.74)
<0.05
WOMAC





     Pain index
-3.31 (0.68)
-4.90 (0.53)
-5.65 (0.59)
-6.28 (0.77)
<0.05††
     Stiffness index
-1.47 (0.31)
-1.55 (0.27)
-2.24 (0.31)
-2.02 (0.28)
NS
     Disability index
-12.33 (1.88)
-14.39 (1.77)
-19.17 (2.05)
-18.98 (1.92)
NS
     Total score
-17.11 (2.73)
-20.84 (2.43)
-27.07 (2.78)
-27.28 (2.79)
NS
Lequesne's functional index
-3.82 (0.51)
-4.80 (0.61)
-6.44 (0.59)
-5.39 (0.52)
<0.05†††

*Compared values of week 4 versus those of week 0 (run-in peroid), data represent mean (SEM). Statistic analysis: a = one-way ANOVA and Scheffe method. NS= no statistical significance. = EA vs placebo and diclofenac group. †† = combined vs placebo group. ††† = EA vs placebo group.

Sangdee et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2002 2:3   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-2-3