Akupunktur bei postoperativen Schmerzen nach Implantation einer Knieendoprothese - Eine plazebokontrollierte Studie zur Sofortwirkung

Abstract

The analgetic effect of acupuncture in the postoperative period after total knee replacement was studied in a randomised placebo-controlled single-blind trial with cross-over in 50 patients. The patients of the acupuncture group (true treatment group) received a single-session, single-point acupuncture with manual stimulation of the needle. We used a special distal point for knee pain located on the homolateral arm according to the rules of traditional Chinese acupuncture. Considering recent concepts and methods for the evaluation of therapeutic acupuncture, the patients of the placebo group (control group) underwent a simulated acupuncture were the needle was not inserted into the patient. Pain before and after treatment was assessed using the visual analogue scale. Following acupuncture pain reduction was found to be 22 % and 36 % after 30 minutes. At both times the difference to the placebo group was highly significant (p <0,001). Furthermore the results of pain reduction during 24 hours indicate that there might be a several hours lasting intrinsic analgetic effect of acupuncture.