Clinical study on the application of acupoint injection therapy with vitamin B1 in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Context: Acupoint injection therapy with Vitamin B1is very effective in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and there are few adverse side effects. Aims: The overall purposes of our study are to determine the specific methods of acupoint injection therapy with Vitamin B1for patients with DPN and to demonstrate the effectiveness of this therapy for DPN patients. Settings and Design: The enrolled patients were divided into two groups – the experimental group (75 patients) and the control group (51 patients). Subjects and Methods: We used four main acupoints in our study – EX-B3, ST36, GB39, and GB34. We compared the changes of DPN symptoms, days of pain loss, changes of tendon reflexes, and electromyographic (EMG) parameters between two groups after 15 days of treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: T-test was used to compare the characteristics between different treatments. Results: The best acupoint set for performing the acupoint injection therapy with 5% Vitamin B1, includes EX-B3, ST36, GB34, and GB39. The mean efficiency rate in terms of changes of DPN symptoms was 84.5% that is significantly lower compared with 61.9% of control group. Furthermore, the day of the pain loss of experimental group was significant lower than that of control group and the efficiency rates in terms of patellar reflex and Achilles tendon reflex were 90.0% and 89.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the experimental group, EMG parameters were improved significantly. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the acupoint injection therapy with Vitamin B1is preferable, easier, and cost-effective approach in terms of DPN treatment.