Mongolian warm acupuncture improves clinical response in knee osteoarthritis vs oral medsMongolian Medicines Warm Acupuncture Shows Promise for Knee Osteoarthritis

Frontiers in Medicine Published July 22, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Consider Mongolian warm acupuncture as an option for knee osteoarthritis, but note the non-significant add-on result and absent safety data.

This meta-analysis pooled data from randomized controlled trials involving 882 patients with knee osteoarthritis to evaluate Mongolian medicines warm acupuncture. The analysis compared warm acupuncture against oral medications in two designs: head-to-head comparisons and add-on therapy.

In head-to-head comparisons (n=630), warm acupuncture significantly improved clinical response rate (RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.17-1.33). However, in the add-on design (n=120), the benefit was non-significant (RR 1.11; 95% CI 1.00-1.25; p=0.06). Secondary outcomes included VAS and WOMAC scores, but pooled results were not reported in the abstract.

The authors used the GRADE approach to assess certainty of evidence, though specific grades were not detailed. Limitations were not reported in the abstract, and safety data were not available.

Clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously given the non-significant result in the add-on analysis and the lack of reported safety data. The evidence suggests warm acupuncture may offer benefit over oral medications alone, but further high-quality trials are needed.

How this fits prior evidence

This meta-analysis extends prior coverage of knee osteoarthritis treatments by evaluating a non-pharmacologic intervention. Prior findings showed celecoxib ranked highest for analgesic efficacy, TENS reduced pain (MD -0.82), and neuromodulation showed promise but with low certainty. The current finding of a significant clinical response benefit with warm acupuncture in head-to-head comparisons (RR 1.25) adds to the range of adjunctive options, though the non-significant add-on result and lack of GRADE detail temper the evidence strength.

Researchers analyzed data from 882 patients with knee osteoarthritis to see how Mongolian medicines warm acupuncture affects pain and mobility. The study looked at several different ways the treatment was administered, including as a standalone option or added to existing care.

When compared directly against oral medications, the acupuncture treatment showed a significant improvement in clinical response rates. However, when it was used as an add-on to other treatments, the results were not statistically significant. The study also looked at pain scales and overall physical function scores.

Because this is a meta-analysis of several different trials, the results provide a broad overview but may not apply to every individual. No specific side effects or safety concerns were reported in the data provided. Patients should talk to their doctor to see if this specific type of acupuncture is right for their personal treatment plan.

What this means for you:

Warm acupuncture showed better results than oral meds for knee pain, but adding it to other treatments was less clear.

Common questions

Is warm acupuncture effective for knee pain?

In a head-to-head comparison involving 630 patients, the study found that warm acupuncture significantly improved clinical response rates compared to oral medications. This suggests it may be an effective way to manage symptoms of knee osteoarthritis when used as a primary treatment.

Does adding acupuncture to other treatments help?

When researchers looked at 120 patients using warm acupuncture as an add-on to other therapies, the results were not statistically significant. This means it is unclear if adding this specific treatment to existing care provides extra benefits beyond what the current treatment already offers.

Are there any known side effects?

The data provided for this study did not report any adverse events, serious incidents, or issues with patient tolerability. You should consult with a healthcare professional to discuss potential risks and benefits based on your specific medical history.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJul 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of Mongolian medicines warm acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).MethodsEight databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, were searched from their inception to 31 December 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Mongolian medicines warm acupuncture for KOA. The primary outcome was the clinical response rate (CR), whereas the secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using RevMan 5.4 with fixed- or random-effects models. The certainty of evidence was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD420261362311).ResultsA total of 10 RCTs (n = 882) were included. In add-on design trials (2 studies, n = 120), the benefit was non-significant (risk ratio [RR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.25; p = 0.06; I2 = 0%). In head-to-head comparisons (6 studies, n = 630), Mongolian medicines warm acupuncture significantly improved the clinical response rate compared with oral medications (RR = 1.25, 95%CI:1.17–1.33; p 

Mongolian warm acupuncture improves clinical response in knee osteoarthritis vs oral medsMongolian Medicines Warm Acupuncture Shows Promise for Knee Osteoarthritis

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

Study Details

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