Did you know?
The World Health Organization recognizes osteoarthritis as the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type,with an incidence of 8.1%.In China alone,over 100 million people are affected.
Among the elderly,it is even more prevalent:21%-33%experience symptoms as they age,nearly 50%of people aged 50–60,and about 80%of those over 75.
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the cartilage and surrounding tissues of the knee.It causes pain,swelling,stiffness,and reduced mobility,significantly affecting quality of life and placing a heavy burden on families and society.
Schematic Diagram of Knee Osteoarthritis
Currently,exercise therapy is the mainstay treatment for knee osteoarthritis,but symptom improvement in elderly patients is often limited,highlighting the urgent need for safe and effective adjunct therapies.
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New Research Brings New Hope
Hydrogen molecules have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects,which may offer potential benefits in treating knee osteoarthritis.A recent clinical study published in the SCI journal Frontiers in Pharmacology brings promising news.
Screenshot of the paper
This multi-center study involved researchers from Sanbo Brain Hospital of Capital Medical University,China-Japan Friendship Hospital,and the School of Nursing at Harbin Medical University.It evaluated the therapeutic potential of inhaling a hydrogen-oxygen mixture as an adjunct to home-based exercise for elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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Research Methodology
The study was an open-label,blinded endpoint,randomized controlled trial conducted at the Beijing Taikang Yanyuan Retirement Community.
A total of 121 patients aged 65 or older with knee osteoarthritis lasting more than six months and a pain score≥4 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:
Group H(Hydrogen-Oxygen+Exercise):Participants followed a 12-week home-based exercise(HBE)program and inhaled a hydrogen-oxygen mixture for 60 minutes daily during the first 2 weeks using the Asclepius hydrogen-oxygen generator(AMS-H-01).
Group C(Exercise Only):Participants completed the same 12-week HBE program without hydrogen-oxygen inhalation.
The home-based exercise program included knee joint exercises and health education designed to strengthen lower limb muscles,improve balance,reduce pain,and relieve joint stiffness.
The primary outcome was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC),which assesses pain,stiffness,and physical function.
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Research Results
At 12 weeks,Group H improved by 23 points from baseline,while Group C improved by 19.3 points.Notably,by the second week,Group H already showed significant improvements in pain,stiffness,and function compared to the control group.These results indicate that hydrogen-oxygen inhalation can enhance the benefits of home exercise rehabilitation.
Note:A higher WOMAC score indicates more severe osteoarthritis:mild<80,moderate 80–120,severe>120.Additionally,the study also found that inhaling hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas is safe,with no serious adverse reactions observed.
Inhaling a hydrogen-oxygen mixture as an adjunct therapy shows therapeutic potential for improving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis,
providing preliminary clinical evidence for its use in elderly patients.Researchers are continuing to explore the mechanisms behind hydrogen-oxygen’s benefits for osteoarthritis and other joint diseases.
Of course,the role of hydrogen-oxygen in other joint diseases is also being actively explored.In 2023,hydrogen-oxygen therapy was also included in the Shandong Province Appropriate Health Technology Promotion Project for applications such as perioperative care in elderly total hip replacement and sleep improvement.
References:[1]Ishibashi,T.,Sato,B.,Rikitake,M.,Seo,T.,Kurokawa,R.,Hara,Y.,et al.(2012).Consumption of water containing a high concentration of molecular hydrogen reduces oxidative stress and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis:an open-label pilot study.Med.gas Res.2(1),27.doi:10.1186/2045-9912-2-27[2]Wang C,Yan M,Li Y,Han L,Wang H,Jia S,Liu X,Liu Y,Wu F,Wang B.Hydrogen-oxygen mixture inhalation as an adjunctive treatment to home-based exercise in older patients with knee osteoarthritis:an open-label,blinded-endpoint,randomized controlled trial.Front Pharmacol.2025 Jan 30;16:1505922.doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1505922.PMID:39950118;PMCID:PMC11821916. 
