Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients

Age, mean (SD), y

60.46 (9.10)

61.35 (8.73)

60.41 (8.56)

60.74 (8.80)

Sex (female), n (%)

174 (78.38)

176 (79.28)

185 (83.33)

535 (80.33)

BMI, mean (SD)

24.18 (3.19)

23.91 (2.89)

24.06 (2.94)

24.05 (3.00)

Duration of disease, mean (SD), y

6.19 (6.73)

6.54 (8.44)

5.14 (5.14)

5.96 (6.95)

Kellgren-Lawrence criteria, n (%)

 Grade 0

62 (28.44)

62 (28.18)

60 (27.27)

184 (27.96)

 Grade I

77 (35.32)

82 (37.27)

81(36.82)

240 (36.47)

 Grade II

60 (27.52)

59 (26.82)

61 (27.73)

180 (27.36)

 Grade III

19 (8.72)

17 (7.73)

18 (8.18)

54 (8.21)

Type of KOA, n (%)

 Unilateral

38 (17.12)

42 (18.92)

51 (22.97)

131 (19.7)

 Bilateral

184 (82.88)

180 (81.08)

171 (77.03)

535 (80.3)

 Previous use of acupuncture for KOA, n (%)

21 (9.46)

14 (6.31)

18 (8.11)

53 (7.96)

WOMAC index, mean (SD)

 WOMAC total

51.84 (39.99)

55.69 (41.42)

52.4 (36.88)

53.3 (39.44)

 WOMAC pain

11.57 (8.2)

12.4 (9.36)

11.35 (7.91)

11.77 (8.51)

 WOMAC stiffness

4 (4.35)

3.8 (4.19)

4.02 (4.26)

3.94 (4.26)

 WOMAC function

36.26 (30.01)

39.49 (31.02)

37.03 (27.15)

37.59 (29.42)

SF-12 Index, mean (SD)

 Physical health

39.22 (8.15)

38.25 (8.53)

38.64 (7.88)

38.7 (8.18)

 Mental health

52.57 (10.17)

53.01 (9.59)

52.31 (10.17)

52.63 (9.97)

Active range of motion, mean (SD)

 Flexion

121.47 (14.97)

122 (12.69)

121.13 (12.59)

121.53 (13.45)

 Extension

0.16 (0.67)

0.14 (0.82)

0.33 (1.18)

0.21 (0.92)

 Internal rotation

26.03 (6.88)

27.38 (7.18)

26.97 (7.21)

26.79 (7.10)"

 External rotation

27.71 (14.77)

27.67 (7.18)

27.56 (6.74)

27.65 (10.25)

Pressure pain threshold, mean (SD)

64.81 (41.03)

114.31 (18.00)

–

–

Acupuncture treatment received ≥ 8 sessions, n (%)

204 (91.89)

202 (90.99)

–

–

Acupuncture treatment received 12 sessions, n (%)

184 (82.88)

187 (84.23)

–

–