Acupuncture for the Treatment of Diabetes Related Distal Sensory Neuropathy: A Review of Study Designs and Quality of RandomizedControlled Trials

Authors

  • Joyce K Anastasi Independence Foundation Endowed Professor, Founding Director, Division of Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York, USA Author
  • Bernadette Capili Director, Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY; Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York, USA Author
  • Londa Hackett Research Acupuncturist, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University New York, USA Author
  • Nigel Dawes TCM and Acupuncture Collaborator, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York Kampo Institute New York, USA Author
  • Margaret Norton Diabetes Collaborator, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University; St. Joseph’s University, Dept. of Nursing, New York, USA Author
  • Donald J McMahon Statistician Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University New York, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JMHC/2024(6)264

Keywords:

Acupuncture, Pain, Neuropathy, Clinical Trials, STRICTA

Abstract

Diabetes affects nearly every organ system in the body, including the peripheral nervous system, and leads to the development of distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSP) in roughly 50% of patients. Between 30% to 50% of patients with DSP experience pain and impaired quality of life. Dissatisfaction with currently available pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain is common, primarily due to limited effectiveness and potential for adverse side effects. Acupuncture, a non-pharmacologic intervention, is often used in the management of chronic pain and is widely available and acceptable to many patients. In this narrative review, we describe clinical research related to acupuncture and diabetes related DSP management including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Data from the few clinical trials available support the use of acupuncture to reduce neuropathic pain including DSP pain; however, available studies suffer from methodological weaknesses including inadequate blinding, sample size justification, lack of well-designed controls, and gaps in reporting. These limitations highlight a critical gap and an unmet need for more rigorous and robust clinical research requiring the use of Standards for Reporting Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines as a design, implementation, and reporting template.

Author Biographies

  • Joyce K Anastasi, Independence Foundation Endowed Professor, Founding Director, Division of Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York, USA

    Independence Foundation Endowed Professor, Founding Director, Division of Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York, USA 

  • Bernadette Capili, Director, Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY; Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York, USA

    Director, Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY; Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York, USA

  • Londa Hackett, Research Acupuncturist, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University New York, USA

    Research Acupuncturist, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University New York, USA

  • Nigel Dawes, TCM and Acupuncture Collaborator, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York Kampo Institute New York, USA

    TCM and Acupuncture Collaborator, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University, New York Kampo Institute New York, USA

  • Margaret Norton, Diabetes Collaborator, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University; St. Joseph’s University, Dept. of Nursing, New York, USA

    Diabetes Collaborator, Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University; St. Joseph’s University, Dept. of Nursing, New York, USA

  • Donald J McMahon, Statistician Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University New York, USA

    Statistician Special Studies in Symptom Management, New York University New York, USA 

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Published

2024-05-16

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 5 (2024): Volume 6 Issue 5

Section

Articles