THE EFFECT OF COMBINED ACUPUNCTURE AND PHYSIOTHERAPY ON PAIN INTENSITY DURING THE REHABILITATION PERIOD OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Keywords:
rheumatoid arthritis, acupuncture, physiotherapy, pain intensity, rehabilitation, combined therapy, Visual Analog Scale, joint function, non-pharmacological treatment.Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation, pain, and functional impairment, particularly during rehabilitation phases where pain management is crucial for improving quality of life. This study investigates the effect of combined acupuncture and physiotherapy on pain intensity in RA patients undergoing rehabilitation. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 participants divided into three groups: combined acupuncture and physiotherapy (n=40), acupuncture alone (n=40), and physiotherapy alone (n=40). Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention. Results showed a significant reduction in VAS scores for the combined group (from 7.2 ± 1.5 to 3.1 ± 1.2, p<0.001) compared to individual therapies. The combined approach enhanced pain relief by 45% more than physiotherapy alone and improved joint function without adverse effects. This highlights the synergistic potential of integrating traditional and modern therapies for RA rehabilitation.
References
1. Chou PC, Chu HY. Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:8596918. doi:10.1155/2018/8596918.
2. de Sousa Dantas B, et al. Effects of acupuncture on the signs and symptoms of people with rheumatic diseases: A scoping review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2024;57:101891. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2024.101891.
3. Yang H, et al. The Efficacy of Acupuncture, Exercise Rehabilitation, and Their Combination in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain Res. 2024;17:2737-2749. doi:10.2147/JPR.S472760.
4. Kibar S, et al. The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review. Med Acupunct. 2022;34(1):34-48. doi:10.1089/acu.2021.0046.
5. Chen R, et al. Acupuncture Alleviates Rheumatoid Arthritis Swelling And Pain. HealthCMi. Published September 11, 2018. Accessed January 17, 2026.
6. Brosseau L, et al. Electroacupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(4):CD003788. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003788.pub2.
