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. 2023 Dec 15;14(12):1813–1823. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v14.i12.1813

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics, n (%)

Characteristics Acupuncture group (n = 31) Control group (n = 31)
Age mean (SD) 66.7 (7.6) 69.5 (7.2)
Age group > 60 yr 24 (77.4) 27 (87.1)
Male 25 (80.6) 24 (77.4)
BMI > 25 kg/m² 27 (87.1) 27 (87.1)
Duration of neuropathy symptoms > 5 yr 14 (45.2) 19 (61.3)
Types of neuropathy
Painful neuropathy 4 (12.9) 7 (22.6)
Mixed neuropathy 27 (87.1) 24 (77.4)
Severe neuropathy 3 (10.0) 7 (24.1)
Palpable pedal pulse right 29 (93.6) 25 (80.7)
Palpable pedal pulse left 25 (83.3) 26 (86.7)
Relevant comorbidities (cardiovascular, hyperlipidemia, arthrosis) 27 (87.1) 27 (87.1)
Previous treatment with medication 12 (38.1) 13 (41.9)
NPSI total intensity score
    Mean (SD) 28.1 ± 15.8 28.8 ± 20.5
    Median (range) 30 (4-63) 23 (0-72)
11-NRS scale for numbness
    Mean (SD) 5.8 ± 1.8 5.8 ± 2.0
    Median (range) 6 (0-9) 6 (1-8)
NDS
    Mean (SD) 8.1 ± 2.6 8.1 ± 1.9
    Median (range) 9 (2-10) 8 (4-10)
NSS
    Mean (SD) 7.2 ± 1.8 7.6 ± 1.5
    Median (range) 7 (4-10) 7 (5-10)
TNSc Total
    Mean (SD) 10.2 ± 4.1 11.3 ± 3.9
    Median (range) 11 (2-17) 11 (6-19)
NSS Sub-groups
    Mild 3 (9.7) 0 (0.0)
    Moderate 8 (25.8) 6 (19.3)
    Severe 20 (64.5) 25 (80.7)
Sural nerve conduct velocity of both legs (m/s)
    Mean (SD) 40.9 ± 13.6 33.6 ± 19.9
    Median (range) 44 (0-59) 44 (0-55)
Sural nerve Amplitude of the sensory nerve action potential of both legs (µV)
    Mean (SD) 4.0 ± 1.9 3.7 ± 2.1
    Median (range) 4 (0-7) 4 (0-7)

TENS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; NPSI: Neuropathy symptom pain inventory; NRS: Numeric rating scale; NDS: Neuropathy deficit score; NSS: Neuropathy symptom score; TNSc: Total clinical ceuropathy score; BMI: Body mass index.