The Yamamoto scalp acupuncture effects in knee osteoarthritis: a case study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture in pain, range of motion, life quality and functionality of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We conducted a case study of a patient of 59 years complaining of knee pain, functional reduction in the last three months and radiography consisting of grade 3 knee OA. The evaluation was done before and after treatment using the Visual Analogue Scale index (VAS) for pain assessment, life quality by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), the functionality for Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score index (KOOS) and range of motion of the knee by goniometry. The craniopuncture was performed twice on week, lasting 40 minutes, totaling 10 sessions. Data analysis was performed descriptively. The variable used was the relative gain (GR) measured before and after treatment. The knee pain decreases (GR=100%), while the range of motion increases in both knees (GR=20%). An improvement in pain (GR=83%), stiffness (GR = 50%), function (GR = 80%) and total score of WOMAC (GR=79%). By KOOS, it was found, improvement in symptoms (GR=8%), pain (GR=26%) in activity od daily living (GR=21%) and life quality (GR=17%). We conclude that the craniopuncture was effective in pain relieving, motion range, life quality and functionality of patient with knee osteoarthritis.