Acupuncture Prescription Based on Thermal-Sensitized Acupoints for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Researchers are testing a new way to select acupuncture points for treating knee osteoarthritis using infrared thermography (IRT), a technology that detects heat patterns on the skin. Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition causing pain and difficulty moving, with limited effective treatment options. While acupuncture has shown promise for reducing knee pain and improving function, practitioners use different acupuncture points, making it unclear which approach works best. This pilot study will enroll 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis, randomly dividing them into two groups. One group will receive acupuncture at points selected using IRT technology, which identifies areas of abnormal skin temperature that may indicate inflammation. The other group will receive acupuncture at conventional points used in previous research. Both groups will receive three acupuncture sessions weekly for four weeks. The researchers will primarily assess whether this type of study is practical to conduct on a larger scale by tracking recruitment, how many patients complete treatment, and whether outcome measures can be collected reliably. They will also measure pain levels, knee function, skin temperature changes, and safety. This is a protocol paper describing the planned study, so results are not yet available. The first participant enrolled in February 2025, with enrollment expected to complete by June 2026. If successful, this approach could help acupuncturists more precisely target treatment areas based on objective measurements rather than traditional point selection alone, potentially improving outcomes for knee osteoarthritis patients. If you're considering acupuncture for knee pain, seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with experience treating musculoskeletal conditions.

This randomized, participant-blinded pilot trial (n=60) evaluates the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of infrared thermography (IRT)-guided acupoint selection versus conventional acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis. Patients will be allocated 1:1 to receive either acupuncture at thermal-sensitized acupoints (TAs) identified by IRT using real-time surface projection technology or at conventional acupoints validated in prior research. Both groups receive three sessions weekly for four weeks. Primary outcomes assess feasibility using a traffic light system evaluating recruitment, retention, intervention completion, and outcome measure completion. Secondary outcomes include VAS pain scores, WOMAC function subscale, credibility and expectancy questionnaire, skin temperature measurements, and safety monitoring. The study leverages previous research demonstrating abnormal skin temperature at specific lower limb acupoints in KOA patients. Enrollment began February 2025 with completion expected June 2026. This protocol aims to establish feasibility for future large-scale trials and provide preliminary evidence for IRT-guided acupoint prescription, potentially offering objective criteria for individualized acupuncture treatment in KOA.