Table 1.
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.