Effect of an oral complementary medicine combination for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
The complementary medicine combination was not superior to placebo for improving pain over 12 weeks
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged ≥40 years with symptomatic knee OA and radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥2, Australia (ATLAS trial)ITT n=42 vs n=41
- Participants
- 84 adults
- Comparison
- Oral complementary medicine combination vs placebo for 12 weeks
- Complementary medicinen = 42
- Placebon = 41reference
- Primary endpoint
- Change in knee pain (0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS))
- Follow-up
- 12 weeks
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, placebo-controlled, 1:1 randomisation, Conducted in Australia from July 2024 to April 2025, Harms monitored weekly
- Double-blind
- Placebo-controlled
- 1:1 randomisation
- Conducted in Australia from July 2024 to April 2025
- Harms monitored weekly
Primary result
Decrease in knee pain (VAS), least squares means
Difference
0.16 mm
95% CI −6.81 to 7.12
Change by group
Complementary medicine
20.1
least squares mean · mm
Placebo
20.3
least squares mean · mm
Between Complementary medicine and Placebo
difference 0.16 mm (95% CI −6.81 to 7.12)
As reported in the abstract
Safety
Any AE · 12 weeks
- Any AE similar between groups (risk difference)
- −3.4% [95% CI −24.8-17.9%]
- Most AEs mild or moderate
Serious AEs
- Participants with serious AEs, unrelated to treatment
- 4
Original publication
Effect of an oral complementary medicine combination for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 22 June 2026. doi:10.
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