Electro-Acupuncture’s Effect On Functional Activities&Gait During Stair Climbing In Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective:To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture on functional activities and gait during stair climbing in knee osteoarthritis(KOA)cases,investigating the relationship between the functional activities and stair walking and the biomechanical mechanism of electro-acupuncture on KOA,and provide the evidence for electro-acupuncture as a traditional rehabilitative therapy.Methods:36 KOA cases were recruited from communities.After 2 weeks in waiting list,the subjects were randomized into 2 groups:electro-acupuncture(EA)and minimal acupuncture(MA)groups.Each group was composed of 20 cases.Treatment consisted of 11 sessions of treatment in 3 weeks.Outcome measures included functional status by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index(WOMAC)scores and gait variations by motion analysis system.Results:1.After 2 weeks in waiting list,WOMAC total score and scores in 3 subscales didn’t show significant difference compared with baseline data(P>0.05).After EA or MA treatment,WOMAC total score and scores in 3 subscales were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).2.Temporospatial variations:After 2 weeks in waiting list,stance phase(STP),initial double support time(IDST)during descending significantly decreased(P<0.05).After EA treatment,step velocity and cadence during both ascending and descending stairs significantly increased,and steptime(ST),swing phase(SP),gait cycle(GC)and IDST were shortened(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,step width(SW),step length(SL)and stride length(STL)didn’t show significant difference compared with those before treatment.In MA control group,all the temporospatial variations didn’t show difference compared with those before treatment.All the variations didn’t show difference between both groups before and after treatment(P>0.05).3.Kinetic variables:After 2 weeks in waiting list,maximal ankle plantar flexor moments(APFM)during descending significantly increased(P<0.05).After EA treatment,APFM during descending stairs significantly increased than that before treatment(P<0.05).PEKAM2 during ascending stairs was significantly larger than that before treatment(P<0.05).However,in MA control group,PEKAM1 and PEKAM2 during descending were less than those before treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,no kinetic variables during both ascending and descending showed difference between both groups.Conclusion:1.The expectation of acupuncture may be existed in the process of waiting,especially in gait during descending.2.EA treatment may enhance the functional activities in KOA cases.3.EA treatment may improve locomotion efficiency in KOA.4.EA treatment may have an effect on loading capacity of the ankle joint on sagittal planes and the knee joint on coronary planes,but its effect may differ in ascending and descending.