Clinical study on acupuncture combined with western medication for diabetic peripheral neuropathy

• Published in: World journal of acupuncture-moxibustion 2021-04, Vol.31 (2), p.100-104
• Main Authors: LI, Gui-yun, ZHANG, Ya-qiong, LIU, Pan-yun, MA, Hong-wei, HUANG, Ji-liang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN); Lipoic acid injection; Mecobalamin injection/tablet
• ISSN: 1003-5257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2021.03.004

To compare the clinical effect differences between western medication, acupuncture, and acupuncture combine with western medication in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Ninety-three patients were randomized into western medication group, acupuncture group, and combination group, with 31 cases in each. The patients in western medication group were treated with lipoic acid injection and mecobalamin injection/ tablets. The patients in acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture, and the acupoints were selected according to the symptoms. The needles were retained for 30 min, once a day. The patients in combination group were treated with both western medication and acupuncture, specific methods as the above. The treatments were for 18 days in succession in all of three group. The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median nerve and common peroneal nerve, as well as the changes of symptoms and signs of patients were observed before and after treatment. The clinical effect was evaluated. After treatment, the median nerve MNCV in the three groups, the median nerve SNCV and common peroneal nerve MNCV in acupuncture group and combination groups, and the common peroneal nerve SNCV in acupuncture group were all higher than those of before treatment, with significantly statistical differences (all P