| Authors/ publication year | Sample characteristics and size | Study groups | Injection protocol | Measured outcomes | Follow up intervals | Result |
| Sit R.W.S. et al., (2020) [28] | Patients with Knee OA (n = 76) | Intervention: Intra-articular dextrose 25% injection (n = 38) Control: normal saline injection (n = 38) | Injection at 0, 1, 2, and 4 months; under ultrasound guidance | 1. Pain (VAS score) 2. Knee function (WOMAC) 3. Quality of life (EuroQol-5D) | At 16, 26, and 52 weeks | Significant improvement in pain, WOMAC score, and quality of life in the prolotherapy group compared to saline injection at 52 weeks |
| Sert A.T. et al., (2020) [30] | Patients with refractory chronic knee pain grade 2 or 3 OA (n = 66) | Prolotherapy: Intra articular 25% and extra-articular 15% dextrose injection and exercise (n = 22) Saline group: normal saline injection and exercise (n = 22) Control group: only exercise (n = 22) | Three sessions in 3-week intervals, Intra and extra-articular anatomic landmark-based injection | 1. Pain and stiffness (VAS score) 2. Knee function (WOMAC) 3. Quality of life (SF-36) | At 6 and 18 weeks | More significant reduction in pain and WOMAC score in the dextrose group at 18 weeks Quality of life improvement in the dextrose group |
| Rabago D. et al., (2013) [29] | Patients with knee OA of more than three months’ duration (n = 90) | Prolotherapy: Intra articular 25% and extra-articular 15% dextrose injection and exercise (n = 30) Saline group: normal saline injection and exercise (n = 29) Control group: only exercise (n = 31) | Injection at 1, 5, and 9 months; intra and extra-articular injection using palpation method | 1. Pain (KPS score) 2. Knee function (WOMAC) 3. Participant satisfaction | At 5, 9, 12, 26, and 52 weeks | Significant improvement in pain and WOMAC score in the prolotherapy group at 52 weeks |
| Reeves K.D. et al., (2000) [17] | Patients with active hand OA (n = 27) | Intervention: dextrose 10% injection (n = 13) Control: xylocaine injection (n = 14) | Injection at 0, 2, 4 months; medial and lateral aspects of each affected joint | 1. Pain at rest, with joint movement, with grip (VAS score) 2. Flexion ROM | 6 months after first session | More significant improvement in outcomes in prolotherapy group compared to control |