Frequency-Dependent Effects of Warm Needle Acupuncture in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis With Cold-Dampness Obstruction Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic degenerative joint disease. Its rising incidence, driven by population aging and increasing obesity rates, imposes a growing socioeconomic burden. As a therapy integrating the dual merits of acupuncture regulation and thermal stimulation, warm acupuncture has been widely adopted for KOA, accompanied by a growing body of relevant research. However, standardized recommendations regarding optimal treatment frequency and course duration of warm needle acupuncture for KOA remain lacking.