Focal Thermal Therapy Acupoint OA Knee RCT (ThermAcuRCT)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Status: Completed

Conditions: Randomized Controlled Trial; Osteoarthritis, Knee

Treatments: Device: Thermal gun; Other: Heat pack

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04735029

2016.555-T

Details and patient eligibility

About

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common degenerative joint disorder in our ageing population. A combination of thermal therapy with a self-management exercise have shown a positive effect in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of topical heat pack versus focal application of heat therapy at the acupressure points in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Full description

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common degenerative joint disorder in our ageing population. A combination of thermal therapy with a self-management exercise have shown a positive effect in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of topical heat pack versus focal application of heat therapy at the acupressure points in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

A randomized control trial was conducted in 76 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, diagnosed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Following inclusion and exclusion selection, patients were randomly allocated to group 1 (Heat Pack) or group 2 (Thermal Gun). All patients received 30 minutes of treatment in each session, twice a week for 4 weeks. They also received an education program and taught home knee exercises. Outcome measurements were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, muscle power, knee ROM, WOMAC and SF-12v2.

Enrollment: 76 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• male or female patients aged 40 years old or older
• clinical and radiological diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee based on the OA Knee clinical guidelines and radiological evidence
• normal skin sensation to heat, cold, pins and pricks (i.e. passed the required Skin Sensation Test)
• not participating in any other clinical trial at time of this study
• be able to complete the whole trial period
• no cognitive dysfunction and was able to sign the consent form

Exclusion criteria

• received bilateral knee arthroplasty before this study
• polyarthritis affecting more than both knee
• active skin lesion
• women in pregnancy or breasts feeding
• received acupuncture and/or moxibustion within one month of the study
• unable to comply with the study protocol

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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76 participants in 2 patient groups

Thermal Gun group

Experimental group

Description:

The thermal gun applied on acupressure points in TCM. The thermal gun used a heat-generating ceramic head to apply a dual effect called "heat-and-light-pressure" on the acupuncture points.

Treatment:

Device: Thermal gun

Heat Pack group

Active Comparator group

Description:

A hydrocollator heat pack used to simulate traditional thermal therapy. The application of the heat pack was wrapped with six layers of terry towels to bring the temperature down to around 43°C.

Treatment:

Other: Heat pack