To evaluate the therapeutic effects of low-frequency phonophoresis with a Chinese herbal
medicine (CHM) compared with sodium diclofenac (SD) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 KOA patients were assigned
randomly to a placebo group, a CHM group, or SD group. Low-frequency phonophoresis was
used to improve the efficiency of drug delivery. Pain at rest [using a visual analog scale (VAS)], pain
on movement (VAS), and range of motion (degrees) in the three groups were evaluated using
the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMACAI) scores. Safety assessments
comprised emergency adverse events, as well as laboratory tests of blood biochemistry, creatinine,
blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase.
Significant improvements were found after treatment in all outcome measures except stiffness
and range of motion in patients in the CHMP group and SDP group (P < 0.05). No significant differences
in all outcome measures were found between the CHMP group and SDP group.
CHMP and SDP can show good therapeutic effects for KOA in terms of relieving pain
and improving physical function.