In a randomized trial, electroacupuncture reduced pain in hand osteoarthritis more than diclofenac gel.
Context
Electroacupuncture — an adaptation of traditional acupuncture in which gentle pulses of electrical current are sent through needles — has shown benefit in knee osteoarthritis (OA), but it has not been studied in hand OA.
In this trial conducted at two centers in China, 120 adults (mean age, 62) with symptomatic hand OA were randomized to 12 sessions of electroacupuncture or topical diclofenac gel (2 g, 4 times a day) over 4 weeks, with 12 additional weeks of follow-up.
Key Results
- At week 4, finger joint pain intensity (measured on a 0−100 visual analog pain scale) decreased significantly more in the electroacupuncture group compared with the diclofenac group (−33 vs. −16 points from baseline).
- At 8 and 16 weeks, pain intensity remained lower in the electroacupuncture than the diclofenac group.
- No serious adverse events occurred.
Comment
This study suggests electroacupuncture has a modest benefit for hand osteoarthritis — a condition with few nonoperative management options. Most acupuncturists are trained to offer this treatment, according to an acupuncturist who works in my health system, though cost could be prohibitive for some patients. While we can’t draw conclusions about the specific analgesic effect of electroacupuncture without a sham-controlled trial, there is very little downside in trying it. I’ve already started to suggest electroacupuncture as an option for my patients with hand OA.