Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2026, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (9): 987-991.doi: 10.11958/20260057

• Applied Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Observation on the efficacy of millimeter wave adjuvant therapy for knee osteoarthritis

LIU Zhentao1(), SUN Guodong2, XU Wei3, MA Shuai1, KANG Linlin4,△()   

  1. 1 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Ji’nan 250031, China
    2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Ji’nan 250031, China
    3 Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Pingyi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Province, Ji’nan 250031, China
    4 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan 250031, China
  • Received:2026-01-05 Revised:2026-03-17 Published:2026-09-15 Online:2026-09-14
  • Contact: △E-mail:285695066@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of millimeter wave adjuvant therapy on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and the influence on peripheral blood T helper type 1/T helper type 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine balance. Methods A total of 90 patients with KOA were selected and randomly assigned into the control group (conventional comprehensive therapy, 45 cases) and the observation group (conventional comprehensive therapy plus millimeter wave adjuvant therapy, 45 cases). The clinical efficacy, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee range of motion (ROM), levels of peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cytokines and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups of patients. Results After 12 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate was higher in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.05). Pain VAS scores after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment were lower in the observation group compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). After 12 weeks of treatment, WOMAC scores, IL-2 and IFN-γ levels were lower in the observation group compared to those of the control group, and ROM, IL-4 and IL-10 were higher (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Millimeter wave adjuvant therapy can regulate the peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, effectively relieve the joint pain and improve the knee function in KOA patients, with good safety.

Key words: osteoarthritis, knee, Th1 cells, Th2 cells, cytokines, arthralgia, millimeter wave

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