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Effect of acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy: an uncontrolled preliminary study from Korea
Eonju Jeon1, Hyojung Kwon2, Imhee Shin3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Background:
Diabetic neuropathic pain can severely influence quality of life, and patients may be dissatisfied with treatment.
Objective:
To carry out an observational study of the effects of acupuncture for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain, in preparation for a full study.
Methods:
Nine patients with diabetic neuropathic pain were recruited from a Korean diabetic clinic and given 12 sessions of acupuncture over 4 weeks. Their symptoms were evaluated using the Total Symptom Score (TSS) and Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) at baseline and 4 weeks after the last treatment.
Results:
Mean TSS scores reduced from 7.99 (SD 3.55) at baseline to 4.95 (SD 4.41), at the 8-week follow-up-a statistically non-significant change (p=0.057). The MNSI scores improved from 6.33 (SD 1.31) before treatment to 4.33 (SD 3.00) after acupuncture treatment-a significant improvement (p=0.010). One participant experienced an exacerbation of diabetic neuropathy symptoms, but two patients gained complete relief of their diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) symptoms.
Conclusions:
The results of this study justify further investigations into the effects of acupuncture on DPN.
