Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Hand Osteoarthritis

Exclusion Criteria

• •History or current evidence of secondary OA (due to causes other than a solely degenerative joint disease) or symptomatic OA at additional locations besides the hand(s) requiring treatment, or any painful syndrome of the upper limb which may interfere with evaluation of hand pain;
• •History of inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis), hemochromatosis, metabolic, or neuropathic arthropathies;
• •History of trauma, dislocation or operation to the hand or arm in the previous 3 months;
• •Hand pain and stiffness due to tissue scarring or tendinitis;
• •Skin damage or serious skin disorders in the hands;
• •Intake of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, vascular or narcotics during the 10 days prior to beginning the study;
• •Oral, intramuscular, intra-articular or intravenous corticosteroids, or hyaluronic acid injection within 3 months preceding enrollment;
• •Serious uncontrolled medical conditions such as cancer, uncontrolled cardiovascular disorder, severe hepatic/renal insufficiency or coagulation disorder;
• •Known phobic to acupuncture or received acupuncture treatment within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.