Effect of warm reinforcing acupuncture combined with whole-body vibration training on knee joint function and inflammatory factors in stroke patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of warm reinforcing acupuncture (WRA) combined with whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on knee joint function and inflammatory factors in patients with stroke complicated by knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 207 patients with stroke complicated by KOA admitted to our hospital between March 2023 and March 2025. A total of 93 patients received WRA combined with WBVT and routine treatment (observation group); the remaining 114 patients received only routine treatment (control group). Baseline characteristics, clinical efficacy, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (LKSS) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, Barthel Index (BI) scores, and serum inflammatory factor levels (C-reactive protein [CRP], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in WOMAC score (pain, stiffness, daily living function), LKSS score, VAS score, and BI score (all P<0.001). The observation group also had lower serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels (all P<0.001). The total effective rate in the observation group was 92.47%, while it was 80.40% in the control group (x 2=5.89, P=0.015).

CONCLUSION

The combination of WRA and WBVT can significantly improve knee joint function, relieve pain, improve self-care ability, and inhibit inflammatory responses in stroke patients with KOA. This combined treatment offers a new approach for the rehabilitation of stroke patients with KOA.