Efficacy of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture Using the Longitudinal Oblique Technique From BL40 Toward BL57 on KOOS Scores and Joint Range of Motion in Knee Osteoarthritis
Key facts
- Where
- Jakarta Pusat, IndonesiaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 51 and 70 years old?
Source: NCT07833462, who can take part
Where in Indonesia
- Universitas IndonesiaJakarta Pusat, IndonesiaContact: Oki Rachma, MDNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Universitas Indonesia
- Trial code
- NCT07833462
- Record updated
- 7 October 2026
- Original description
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of thread embedding acupuncture using a longitudinal oblique technique from BL40 toward BL57 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and knee range of motion (ROM), compared with sham thread embedding acupuncture in a double-blind randomized controlled trial.Read full original descriptionShow less
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of thread embedding acupuncture using a longitudinal oblique technique from BL40 toward BL57 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and knee range of motion (ROM), compared with sham thread embedding acupuncture in a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Inclusion: Male and female patients aged 51 to 70 years; Clinically and radiologically diagnosed with bilateral knee osteoarthritis according to ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria; Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III knee osteoarthritis; NRS (Numeric Rating Scale) score >3 during activity (activities of daily living or light exercise); Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m²; Knee functional limitations assessable via the KOOS; Ability to understand and complete the KOOS questionnaire. MMSE score >23 (normal or no significant cognitive impairment); Willingness to complete the study and sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion: Routine use of steroids or NSAIDs, or use of topical analgesics prior to therapy and during the study period; Not currently receiving intra-articular knee injections (corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid) and has not received them in the last 3 months; Prior receipt of thread-embedding acupuncture therapy in the knee area or at acupuncture points BL40-BL57 within the last 6 months, or other forms of acupuncture within the last 2 weeks; History of knee surgery such as total knee replacement, arthroscopy, or ligament reconstruction; Inflammatory joint disease or autoimmune conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, spondyloarthritis, or lupus arthritis) assessed via clinical symptoms and/or radiological findings; Presence of a tumor, wound, or local infection at the injection site; History of peripheral vascular disease, DVT/thromboembolism, aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, or coagulation/bleeding disorders; History of keloids; History of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to polydioxanone (PDO) threads or procedure needle materials (e.g., stainless steel); Presence of a blood disorder or use of blood thinners (combination antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy) with an INR ≤ 2.0; history of spontaneous bleeding, thrombocytopenia, or coagulation disorders; Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or severe systemic disease with a random blood glucose (RBG) level ≥200 mg/dL (measured via capillary blood using a glucometer); Random blood glucose (RBG) level ≥200 mg/dL in non-diabetic patients (measured via capillary blood using a glucometer for all study participants); Presence of a Baker's cyst in the popliteal fossa, identified during physical examination; Patients currently undergoing physiotherapy or who have undergone it within the last month.