Abstract
The objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of
acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in 40 diabetic patients attending
the Diabetes Clinic of Laungpoh Pern Hospital; the methodology used simple random
sampling technique. Twenty patients served as the group studied, receiving acupuncture
and the remaining 20 cases acted as a control group. Both groups received the same
conventional treatment from the hospital. In both groups, the degree of foot numbness
was measured and recorded, using Semmes -Weinstein monofilament one week before
and one week after the study period of four weeks (equal to the twice-a-week application
of eight acupunctures). Statistical comparison of the therapeutic results in individual
groups, and between the acupuncture-treated and the control groups were made by
using the t-test.
The results showed a statistically significant improvement of the numbness symptoms
in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Therefore, it
was concluded that acupuncture has a supplementary therapeutic effect on DPN in addition
to the conventional treatment.
