Objectives To analyse the efficacy of acupuncture as a
complementary therapy to the pharmacological treatment of
osteoarthritis of the knee, with respect to pain relief, reduction
of stiffness, and increased physical function during treatment;
modifications in the consumption of diclofenac during
treatment; and changes in the patient’s quality of life.
Design Randomised, controlled, single blind trial, with blinded
evaluation and statistical analysis of results.
Setting Pain management unit in a public primary care centre
in southern Spain, over a period of two years.
Participants 97 outpatients presenting with osteoarthritis of
the knee.