OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effects of the pestle needling therapy on the vibration perception threshold (VPT) and the quality of life (QOL) in the patients of high-risk diabetic foot.
METHODS:
A total of 132 patients of high risk diabetic foot were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 66 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine treatment and nursing for diabetes were applied. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the pestle needling therapy was used at Zhiyangbazhen, Mingmenbazhen, Hechemingqiangduan, Zusanli (ST 36), Yongquan (KI 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). The intervention with the pestle needling therapy was given once every day, consecutively for 4 weeks. The follow-up visit was conducted in 3 months and 6 months after the intervention. Vibration perception threshold (VPT) was observed before and after intervention in the two groups. Separately, before intervention, at the end of intervention, 3 months after intervention and 6 months after intervention, the type 2 diabetes mellitus quality life scale (DMQLS), the revised edition was adopted to compare the QOL between the two groups. The effects were evaluated in the two groups.
RESULTS:
After intervention, the VPT and QOL were all improved in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the observation group, after intervention, VPT at the first toes and the dorsum of the feet was lower than the control group at the same time point (all P<0.01). In the observation group, the total scores and the score of each dimension item in the DMQLS of the revised edition were all lower than the control group correspondently at the end of intervention, 3 months after intervention and 6 months after intervention (P<0.01, P<0.05). The repeated ANOVA results showed that the differences were significant in the total scores and the score of each dimension in the aspects of time, inter-group and interaction effect (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total scores and score of each dimension item in the DMQLS were lower than those the earlier time point (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate was 100.0% in the observation group, which was superior to 95.1% (59/62) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
The pestle needling therapy reduces the foot VPT and improves the sensory nerve function of the foot and the QOL in the patients of high-risk diabetic foot.
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