Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of trial participants.
| Characteristics | Acupuncture Group (n = 31) |
Waiting Group (n = 31) |
|---|---|---|
| Age mean (SD) | 66.7 (7.6) | 69.5 (7.2) |
| Age > 60 years | 24 (77.4%) | 27 (87.1%) |
| Male | 25 (80.6%) | 24 (77.4%) |
| Cardiovascular comorbidities | 27 (87.1%) | 27 (87.1%) |
| Specific DPN-related medication | 17 (54.8%) | 22 (70.9%) |
| Previous treatment Acupuncture against DPN Symptoms | 3 (9.7%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Previous Acupuncture treatment for other reasons | 18 (58.1%) | 16 (51.6%) |
| Study therapy was estimated to be effective | 27 (87.1%) | 24 (77.4%) |
| BMI > 25 kg/m2 | 27 (87.1%) | 27 (87.1%) |
| Duration of neuropathy symptoms > 5 years |
14 (45.2%) | 19 (61.3%) |
| VAS overall complaints Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
58.5 ± 11.9 54 (42–84) |
61.2 ± 11.5 60 (40–81) |
| VAS pain Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
49.3 ± 22.5 52 (2–84) |
39.3 ± 25.1 50 (0–74) |
| NPSI Total intensity score Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
28.1 ± 15.8 30 (4–63) |
28.8 ± 20.5 23 (0–72) |
| SES global affective pain experience Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
25.0 ± 10.9 22 (14–54) |
24.0 ± 9.0 22 (14–46) |
| SES global sensory pain experience Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
16.9 ± 5.9 15 (10–36) |
17.0 ± 6.5 16 (10–31) |
| DPNPI total score Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
45.0 ± 14.0 45 (20–72) |
51.5 ± 12.7 49 (26–73) |
| SF-12 physical component scale Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
40.6 ± 9.7 41 (22–55) |
37.6 ± 8.6 37 (21–53) |
| SF-12 mental component scale Mean (SD) Median (Range) |
50.8 ± 10.9 55 (24–65) |
48.4 ± 10.3 49 (21–65) |
Data are presented as mean (SD), mean and range, or frequency (percentage). Abbreviations: n = number of participants, VAS = visual analog scale, NPSI = neuropathic pain syndrome inventory, DPNPI = diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain impact measure, SES = German scale for affective component of pain, SF-12 = Short Form-12.