Effect of Self-Acupressure on Neuropathic Pain and HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes

This study aimed to determine the effect of self-administered acupressure on peripheral neuropathic pain and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study was designed as a parallel-group randomized controlled trial with intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups.

Participants in the intervention group performed self-administered acupressure on designated points three times per week for a duration of 3 months. No intervention was applied to the control group. In both groups, HbA1c levels and neuropathic pain levels (Douleur Neuropathique 4 [DN4]) were assessed at the beginning of the data collection process and after 3 months. Sample size calculation was based on an assumed effect size of Cohen's d = 0.50; statistical significance was set at p < .05, and the main outcomes were reported with 95% confidence intervals.

Following the intervention, the total DN4 score for neuropathic pain in the intervention group showed a statistically significant decrease compared to the control group (7.07 ± 1.46 → 3.73 ± 1.39) (p < .001). Similarly, postintervention HbA1c levels in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (8.60 ± 1.62 → 7.41 ± 1.21) (p < .001).

Self-administered acupressure may be effective in lowering HbA1c and neuropathic pain levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Self-administered acupressure may be considered a simple, non-pharmacological adjunct to standard diabetes care to support glycemic control and neuropathic pain management.