Efficacy and Safety of Electroacupuncture for Pain Alleviation in Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

09 February 2026 : Meta-Analysis

Hao Wang^{AB 1}, Wenjie Chen^{DF 1}, Guangyou Chen^{AB 1*}, Kai Zhu^{D 1}, Kaiquan Zhang^{BC 1}, Dongdong Li^{F 1}, Yang Lei^{B 1}

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.951091

Med Sci Monit 2026; 32:e951091

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Table 3 Subgroup analysis results.

Subgroup		VAS at rest( 3 days post-operation)				VAS at rest (7 days post-operation)
Subgroup		Study	MD [95% CI]	P value	I2	Study	MD [95% CI]	P value	I2
Total		12				11
Interventions	Combination of exercise	8	−0.95 [−1.22, −0.68]	P=0.0003	74%	9	−0.53 [−0.80, −0.26]	P=0.0001	90%
Interventions	Non-exercise	4	−0.77 [−1.20,−0.35]	P=0.0004	78%	2	−0.65 [−1.06, −0.24]	P=0.002	0%
Acupoints selection	On the affected side	10	−0.92 [−1.15, −0.68]	P<0.00001	76%	9	−0.52 [−0.76, −0.27]	P<0.0001	88%
Acupoints selection	On the healthy side	2	−0.72 [−1.32, −0.13]	P=0.02	54%	2	−0.47 [−1.37, −0.43]	P=0.31	50%
Sample size	n<60	5	−0.80 [−0.96, −0.65]	P<0.00001	34%	6	−0.59 [−0.79, −0.40]	P<0.00001	72%
Sample size	n≥60	7	−0.94 [−1.28, −0.60]	P<0.00001	81%	5	−0.38 [−0.52, −0.25]	P<0.00001	0%
Duration of treatment (by days)	≤7 days	8	−0.92 [−1.20, −0.64]	P<0.00001	78%	5	−0.50 [−0.63, −0.37]	P<0.00001	0%
Duration of treatment (by days)	>7 days	4	−0.82 [−1.21, −0.44]	P<0.0001	65%	6	−0.60 [−0.86, −0.35]	P<0.00001	75%
VAS – visual assessment scale; MD – mean difference; CI – confidence interval.

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