title: Role of acupuncture in the management of diabetic painful neuropathy (DPN): a pilot RCT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the role of acupuncture in the treatment of diabetic painful neuropathy (DPN) using a single-blind, placebo-controlled RCT and to collect data that would be required in a future definitive study of the efficacy of acupuncture in DPN.
  
  
  METHODS
  45 patients were allocated to receive a 10-week course either of real (53%) or sham (47%) acupuncture. Five standardised acupuncture points on the lower limb of each leg were used in the study: LR3, KI3, SP6, SP10 and ST36. Outcome measures included the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) scale, lower limb pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS); Sleep Problem Scale (SPS); Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP); 36-item Short Form 36 Health Survey and resting blood pressure (BP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the 10-week treatment period, small improvements were seen in VAS -15 (-26 to -3.5), MYMOP -0.89 (-1.4 to -0.3), SPS -2.5 (-4.2 to -0.82) and resting diastolic BP -5.2 (-10.4 to -0.14) in the true acupuncture group. In contrast, there was little change in those receiving sham acupuncture. A moderate treatment effect in favour of active acupuncture was detected in MYMOP scores -0.66 (-0.96 to -0.35) but non-significant effect sizes in LANSS Pain Scale -0.37 (-2.2 to 1.4), resting diastolic BP -0.50 (-3.0 to 1.99) and the SPS -0.51 (-2.2 to 1.16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have demonstrated the practicality and feasibility of acupuncture as an additional treatment for people with DPN. The treatment was well tolerated with no appreciable side effects. Larger randomised trials are needed to confirm the clinical and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of DPN.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN number: 39740785.
authors.affiliation: Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Diabetes Centre, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, UK The University of Manchester, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Adam P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Garrow
authors.affiliation: Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Diabetes Centre, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, UK The University of Salford, School of Health Sciences, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Diabetes Centre, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vere
authors.affiliation: Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Diabetes Centre, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Verrall
authors.affiliation: Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Diabetes Centre, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, UK Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: LiFen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Diabetes Centre, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, UK School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Jude
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ACUPUNCTURE; DIABETES; PAIN RESEARCH