Observation of the therapeutic effect of auricular bean pressing on early knee osteoarthritis pain: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), there is a need for the long-term use of therapeutic drugs that reduce joint pain and have fewer adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of bean pressing on ear points on early KOA pain. METHODS: One hundred patients with KOA recruited at the Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2019 and May 2022 were divided randomly into a treatment group ([Formula: see text] 50) and control group ([Formula: see text] 50). Patients in the treatment group received regular rehabilitation combined with auricular bean-pressing treatment, while patients in the control group only received conventional rehabilitation treatment. The measurement indicators – knee swelling, tenderness, range of motion sign score, C-reactive protein, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) indexes – were recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS: On day 5 following the start of treatment, the visual analog scale (VAS) and WOMAC scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group ([Formula: see text] 0.05), and the VAS and WOMAC scores in the treatment group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment ([Formula: see text] 0.05). At week 4 after the start of treatment, the dosage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group ([Formula: see text] < 0.05). No adverse events were observed during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular bean-pressing therapy had an analgesic effect and could also alleviate mild to moderate KOA swelling, joint stiffness, and other symptoms, effectively reducing the demand for NSAIDs and improving both knee function and quality of life. The results suggested that auricular bean-pressing therapy has promising prospects in the treatment of early KOA pain.