Effect of Low-Frequency Electroacupuncture on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (NCT07551726) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of Low-Frequency Electroacupuncture on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
92 participantsStarted 2026-04-26
Plain-language summary
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and disabling complication of diabetes. Many patients experience pain, numbness, and impaired quality of life, while currently available treatments may have limited benefit or cause adverse effects. Electroacupuncture (EA) may provide a safe, non-pharmacological treatment option, but further clinical evidence is needed.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and potential mechanisms of low-frequency (2 Hz) electroacupuncture in patients with DPN. In this prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trial, participants will be assigned to either a verum 2 Hz EA group or a sham EA group. The study will assess nerve conduction velocity, pain intensity, serum neurotrophic factors and inflammatory cytokines, and quality of life.
This study is intended to provide clinical evidence on the use of low-frequency EA for DPN and to examine whether its effects are related to neurotrophic and inflammatory pathways.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
.Able to communicate effectively. 4.No severe systemic medical conditions (e.g., cardiac, cerebral, hepatic, or renal disorders), severe psychiatric illnesses, or cognitive impairment.
.Mentally competent, voluntarily agree to participate in the study, and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
.Severe comorbid conditions, including renal, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, pulmonary, or hepatic diseases, infectious diseases, malignancies, or severe psychiatric disorders.
.History of knee/hip replacement surgery or lower limb fracture within the past 3 months, or any other condition that could interfere with the assessment of neuropathy.
.Received acupuncture or moxibustion treatment specifically for DPN within the past 3 months.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Lower limb nerve conduction velocity
Timeframe: Baseline (week 0) and week 6 (±3 days)
2
Overall clinical response rate
Timeframe: At the end of week 6 (±3 days).
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07551726
SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
.Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical trial. 6.Women who are planning pregnancy, are pregnant, or are lactating. 7.Unwillingness to be randomized to either the waitlist (WL) or EA group. 8.Chronic abuse of opioids, analgesics, illicit drugs, or alcohol.