OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the therapeutic effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathy between the combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection and the simple acupoint injection.

METHODSUnder the satisfactory control of blood glucose, 60 cases of diabetic peripheral neuropathy were divided randomly into two groups, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture plus acupoint injection group (group A), electroacupuncture and acupoint injection with Methylcobalamin were administered. Penetrating acupuncture was applied from Gongsun (SP 4) to Quanzhong (Extra) and from Yongquan (KI 1) to Taichong (LR 3) mainly. Acupoint injection was administered on Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In acupoint injection group (group B), only acupoint injection with Methylcobalamin was provided on Sanyinjiao (SP 6). After 2 sessions of treatment, the conduction velocity of ulnar nerve and tibial nerve was measured. The scores of Chinese medicine syndrome and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were recorded before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSThe effective rates were 90.0% (27/30) and 63.3% (19/30) in group A and group B respectively, presenting significant statistical difference (P < 0.05). After treatment, the motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) of ulnar nerve and tibial nerve in group A were higher than those in group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After treatment, the score of Chinese medicine syndrome in group A was lower than that in group B (14.36 +/- 1.88 vs 26.58 +/- 3.52, P < 0.01), the score of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in group A was lower than that in group B (12.86 +/- 4.28 vs 17.89 +/- 4.35, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture and acupoint injection with Methylcobalamin achieve a significant clinical efficacy on diabetic neuropathy and its efficacy is superior to that of simple acupoint injection with Methylcobalamin. This therapy can effectively increase nerve conduction velocity, control and relieve the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.