Table 11.

Acupuncture (針灸 zhēn jiǔ) for osteoarthritis of the knee (膝關節炎 xī guān jié yán) (GRADE).

Number of studies	Design	Limitation	Inconsistency	Indirectness	Imprecision	Publication bias	Other considerations	Quality
Pain after treatment
12	RCT	Serious limitationa	No serious inconsistencyb	No serious indirectnessc	No serious imprecision	Undetected	None	Moderate
Function after treatment
12	RCT	Serious limitationa	Seriousd	No serious indirectnesse	No serious imprecision	Undetected	None	Low

^aThree studies were unclear random sequence generation. Four were unclear allocation concealment. Two were inadequate Selection of participants to groups. Three were no intention-to-treat principle. Three were inadequate blinding. Only two studies did not have serious limitations.

^bNine studies were consistent with acupuncture to relief pain after treatment and had significant differences. One study achieved pain release without significant differences. The results of two studies without serious limitations were no significant differences about pain release.

^cFive studies had similar populations (age, diagnosis and severity) but patients of twelve studies were all diagnosed osteoarthritis. Eight studies used VAS for estimate the pain of the knee and four used other method to evaluate the severity of the pain.

^dSeven studies were consistent with acupuncture to improve function and had significant differences. The others did not achieve improved function. One study without serious limitations had improved function with significant differences.

^eFive studies had similar populations (age, diagnosis and severity) and patients of twelve studies were all diagnosed osteoarthritis. Nine studies used WOMAC as their outcome measurement of the function of the knee.