Objective:To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy(PN) as measured by changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS).Methods:192 patients with PN wereevaluated over a period of 1 year.In 17 patients diabetic neuropathy was found.3 of these patients received acupuncture therapy according to classical Chinese medicine as defined by the Heidelberg model of TCM and all improved in NCS. Of the 14 non-specifically treated patients,3(21.4％)presented with improved NCS and 11 (78.6％) aggravated in NCS (P<0.03).An overall of 47 patients met the criteria for PN of undefined aetiology,21 patients received acupuncture therapy,while 26 patients received no specific treatment.All groups were examined by NCS before treatment and 4 months later.Results: 1)Diabetic neuropathy,in the control-group 3 patients improved and 11 showed an aggravation.Comparison of groupswas significantly different.2) PN,16 patients(76.2％)in the acupuncture group improved,while only 4 patients in the control group(15.4％)did so.3 patients in the acupuncture group(14.3％)showed no change and 2 patients an aggravation (9.5％),whereas in the control group 7 patients showed no change (26.9％) and 15 an aggravation (57.7％).Comparison of the groups was significantly different.Conclusion:There is a positive effect of acupuncture on PN,as measured by objective parameters (NCS).
Sven Schroeder Andrew Remppis Tobias Greten Frank Brazkicwicz Michael Morcos Henry Johannes Greten
Hamburg Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Germany;Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine,Gennany Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine,Germany;Dpt.of Internal Medicine Ⅲ,University Hospital of Heid German Society for TCM,Germany Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine,Germany;Bremen Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Germa Dpt.of Internal Medicine I,University Hospital of Heidelberg,Germany Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine,Germany;Instituto di Ciencas Biomedicas Abel Salazar,Universit