Arthritis research & therapy
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · May 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffects of intensity of electroacupuncture on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is impaired in people with chronic pain such as knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The purpose of this randomized, controlled clinical trial was to investigate whether strong electroacupuncture (EA) was more effective on chronic pain by strengthening the CPM function than weak EA or sham EA in patients with KOA. ⋯ EA should be administered for at least 2 weeks to exert a clinically important effect on improving CPM function of KOA patients. Strong EA is better than weak or sham EA in alleviating pain intensity and inhibiting chronic pain.