Objective: To compare the modified Qing Long Bai Wei needling method and ordinary acupuncture method in the effects of improving the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to determine the advantage of the modified Qing Long Bai Wei needling method for KOA. Methods: One hundred KOA patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, with 50 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by the modified Qing Long Bai Wei needling method, and the control group was given ordinary acupuncture. The two groups were observed before and after the treatment to determine the changes in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate and clinical recovery rate were 97.9% and 52.1% respectively in the treatment group, versus 85.1% and 25.5% in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). After the treatment, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid changed significantly in both groups (all P<0.01); there were significant differences in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid between the two groups (all P<0.01). Conclusion: The modified Qing Long Bai Wei needling is an effective method for KOA and it can significantly improve the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid. © 2018, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian.
