Effects of Golden Plaster on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Golden plaster is the preferred and most commonly used in China for pain reduction in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, there was no evidence-based medical evidence about its effect in relieving pain of knee OA patients. Here, a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of golden plaster for the improvement of pain relief and function's obstacle in patients with knee OA. METHODS: 320 patients with knee OA were enrolled at four hospitals and randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group with 160 subjects in each group. Patients in treatment group were treated with golden plaster, and those in control group with placebo plaster. The study cycle in both groups was 21 days. Patient visits were documented before treatment and 7-, 14-, and 21-day follow-ups after treatment. The outcomes included VAS score, WOMAC score, and adverse events. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the VAS score in the treatment group was significantly decreased after treatment with golden plaster for 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. Compared to the control group, the WOMAC score in the treatment group was significantly decreased 14 days and 21 days. The incidence rate of adverse events had no statistical difference between both the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study, for the first time by carrying on the double-blind and placebo-controlled randomized trial, showed that golden plaster can effectively alleviate the pain of knee and improve the physical function in the patients with knee OA. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-TRC-13003418.