Abstract
Background Gonarthrosis is a subtype of arthrosis which produces greater functional disability
in our context. Women are more affected, with a prevalence in the general population
of 16% and a clear increase as age advances, reaching up to 43%.
Aims To evaluate whether the combined treatment of electroacupuncture and moxibustion
is more effective than the treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion in patients of
advanced age with gonarthrosis.
Material and Methods An experimental, prospective and randomized study. Patients were divided into two
groups: group A, who received acupuncture (n = 6) and group EA who received electroacupuncture
(n = 7): modulated TENS (F = 5 Hz, P = 50 µS, I = 90%, 10 min). Both group A and EA
combined treatments with moxibustion. Three interventions were performed, over three
consecutive weeks, and the results obtained in each group were compared using several
validated scales.
Results 84.6% of patients were women, with a mean age of 83.3 years, and 53.8% of these with
obesity. The right leg was the more affected (76.9%) and 46.2% had a severe disability.
Pain reduction (Visual Analog Scale) was statistically significant in each session
in both groups however, to a greater extent in group EA (reduction of pain EA 3.4
versus 1.3 in A). The improvements of stiffness with both treatments was evident (mean
69.2%), however without statistically significant between-group differences. A clear
difference was not found in the functionality according to the different scales applied
(WOMAC, Barthel, Katz, Up&Go) nor in the reduction in the use of medication.
Conclusion The results obtained show a clear improvement in the control of pain and rigidity
with the combination of both therapies, although differences were not found in the
functionality and muscle strength scales, which are values that we believe would improve
with a greater sample and a greater duration of interventions. In conclusion, in our
study, electroacupuncture combined with moxibustion provides slightly better results
to acupuncture combined with moxibustion, regarding the improvement of pain and stiffness
in older patients with gonarthrosis.
