Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy (PN) as measured by changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS). Methods: 192 patients with PN were evaluated over a period of 1 year. In 1...Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy (PN) as measured by changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS). Methods: 192 patients with PN were evaluated over a period of 1 year. In 17 patients diabetic neuropathy was found. 3 of these patients received acupuncture therapy according to classical Chinese medicine as defined by the Heidelberg model of TCM and all improved in NCS. Of the 14 non-specifically treated patients, 3 (21.4%) presented with improved NCS and 11 (78.6%) aggravated in NCS (P〈0.03). An overall of 47 patients met the criteria for PN of undefined aetiology, 21 patients received acupuncture therapy, while 26 patients received no specific treatment. All groups were examined by NCS before treatment and 4 months later. Results: 1) Diabetic neuropathy, in the control-group 3 patients improved and 11 showed an aggravation. Comparison of groups was significantly different. 2) PN, 16 patients (76.2%) in the acupuncture group improved, while only 4 patients in the control group (15.4%) did so. 3 patients in the acupuncture group (14.3%) showed no change and 2 patients an aggravation (9.5%), whereas in the control group 7 patients showed no change (26.9%) and 15 an aggravation (57.7%).Comparison of the groups was significantly different. Conclusion: There is a positive effect of acupuncture on PN, as measured by objective parameters (NCS).展开更多
文摘Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy (PN) as measured by changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS). Methods: 192 patients with PN were evaluated over a period of 1 year. In 17 patients diabetic neuropathy was found. 3 of these patients received acupuncture therapy according to classical Chinese medicine as defined by the Heidelberg model of TCM and all improved in NCS. Of the 14 non-specifically treated patients, 3 (21.4%) presented with improved NCS and 11 (78.6%) aggravated in NCS (P〈0.03). An overall of 47 patients met the criteria for PN of undefined aetiology, 21 patients received acupuncture therapy, while 26 patients received no specific treatment. All groups were examined by NCS before treatment and 4 months later. Results: 1) Diabetic neuropathy, in the control-group 3 patients improved and 11 showed an aggravation. Comparison of groups was significantly different. 2) PN, 16 patients (76.2%) in the acupuncture group improved, while only 4 patients in the control group (15.4%) did so. 3 patients in the acupuncture group (14.3%) showed no change and 2 patients an aggravation (9.5%), whereas in the control group 7 patients showed no change (26.9%) and 15 an aggravation (57.7%).Comparison of the groups was significantly different. Conclusion: There is a positive effect of acupuncture on PN, as measured by objective parameters (NCS).