Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Launched by ZHEJIANG CHINESE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY · Sep 21, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effectiveness of electroacupuncture as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a condition that causes pain, numbness, and other uncomfortable sensations in the legs and feet of people with diabetes. While medications can help, they may also lead to unwanted side effects, which is why researchers are exploring electroacupuncture, a method that uses electrical currents with acupuncture needles to relieve symptoms without the same risks.

To participate in this study, individuals aged 18 to 85 with certain types of nerve issues in their lower limbs may be eligible. This includes those who experience pain or sensory changes and have specific findings from nerve tests. Participants will need to be able to communicate well and should not have serious health problems or recent surgeries that could interfere with the trial. If you join the study, you may receive electroacupuncture treatment or be placed in a waiting group. The goal is to see how well this treatment works and to ensure it is safe for patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. 18 years ≤ age ≤ 85 years, disease duration is not limited, gender is not limited;
• • 2. Lower limb neuromuscular electromyography showing reduced conduction velocity, and/or persistent pain and/or sensory abnormalities in the extremities (at least in both lower limbs), bilateral or unilateral weakened ankle reflexes, reduced vibration sensation, and a TCSS score ≥ 6;
• • 3. Have normal communication skills;
• • 4. No serious heart, brain, liver, kidney and other internal diseases, no serious mental illness and cognitive impairment;
• • 5. those who voluntarily obeyed the study protocol and signed the informed consent form.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Persons with peripheral neuropathy, ulcers and gangrene of the limbs caused by a variety of other reasons (e.g. hypothyroidism, alcohol, drugs, heredity, etc.), or persons with a history of skin ulcers or lesions that do not heal easily;
• • 2. Presence of serious diseases, including renal disease, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, liver disease or infectious disease, or malignant tumour and serious mental illness, etc;
• • 3. Prior history of knee/hip replacement surgery or lower limb fracture within the past 3 months, and other conditions that may affect the assessment of neuropathy
• • 4. Patients who have received acupuncture or moxibustion treatment for DPN within the past 3 months;
• • 5. Volunteers who are participating in other interventional clinical trials;
• • 6. Women who are preparing for pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding;
• • 7. Those who have scars or hyperpigmentation of the skin at the testing site, which affects the accuracy of the test;
• • 8. Unwilling to be randomly assigned to the waiting treatment group or electroacupuncture treatment group;
• • 9. Chronic abuse of opioids, analgesics, illicit drugs or alcohol.