[Clinical observation on effect of acupuncture in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: Sixty patients with DPN were randomly assigned to the acupuncture treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. Besides basic treatment, patients were treated additionally with acupuncture and orally administration of Methycbal (Mecolbalamin) for 8 weeks respectively. Changes of symptoms, blood glucose, HbA1c, whole blood and plasma viscosity, the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of sensory and motor nerves before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: Acupuncture can ameliorate symptoms and signs of the nervous system, decrease whole blood and plasma viscosity, and improve the NCV of sensory and motor nerves in patients with DPN. CONCLUSION: The effect of acupuncture in treating DPN is definite.