ArticleAmerican journal of translational research2026
Retrospective analysis of traditional Chinese medicine external therapies for knee osteoarthritis: clinical outcomes for blood stasis syndrome.
Article in American journal of translational research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
objectiveKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease with limited treatment options. For patients with KOA characterized by blood stasis syndrome, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies, including herbal application and meridian massage, may provide effective help.
methodsThis study retrospectively analyzed the data from 240 KOA patients with blood stasis syndrome (120 TCM patients and 120 control patients). The TCM group received a 2-week regimen of herbal application combined with meridian massage, in addition to conventional physical therapy. The control group received only conventional physical therapy, specifically therapeutic deep-heat irradiation (TDP lamp). The differences in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, SF-36 Quality of Life scale, objective knee range of motion (AROM), Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ-26), TCM Blood Stasis Syndrome Score, and inflammation biomarkers (IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP) were compared between the two groups of patients, and the safety of the drug was evaluated.
resultsCompared to the conventional physical therapy group, the TCM group, which received herbal application combined with meridian massage, demonstrated greater improvements in WOMAC score and VAS pain (both P<0.05). Significant enhancements in quality of life of were observed in the TCM group (P<0.05), along with a marked reduction in serum inflammatory markers. In addition, the TCM group showed superior treatment compliance (P<0.05) and an excellent safety profile with no adverse events reported, compared to a 5% incidence in the control group.
conclusionWhen added to conventional physical therapy, the combined external TCM treatment of herbal application and meridian massage can more effectively relieve pain, improve quality of life, and reduce inflammation in patients with KOA, demonstrating an excellent safety profile. However, the study design did not allow for the isolation of the independent effects of each TCM modality.
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