The Efficacy of Acupuncture, Exercise Rehabilitation, and Their Combination in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Our research indicates that both acupuncture and exercise rehabilitation can effectively enhance pain relief, functional improvement, and joint mobility in individuals aged 45 to 70 with moderate to severe chronic KOA. Furthermore, the AE group demonstrated the highest response rate. These beneficial outcomes were sustained for a minimum of 8 weeks post-treatment. The combination of acupuncture and exercise rehabilitation appears to enhance the overall therapeutic efficacy for KOA patients, suggesting a synergistic effect that may be particularly advantageous for those with moderate to severe symptoms.