Abstract:

Complex Āyurvedic Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Knee (CARAKA-Trial) – A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Āyurveda and Conventional Standard Care

Kessler C1,2 , Michalsen A 1,2 , Witt CM 1

1 Institute for Social Medicine Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
2 Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Department for Internal and Complementary Medicine, Berlin, Germany

Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex Āyurvedic diagnosis and treatment compared to conventional standard care in patients with OA of the knee.
Methods and Design
A total of 150 patients were included in a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled study. The primary endpoint was the change in the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) after 12 weeks.
The trial data is currently being entered and analyzed. First results will be presented.