Electroacupuncture and Rosiglitazone Combined Therapy as a Means of Treating Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aims. To evaluate the efficacy of rosiglitazone (TZD) and electroacupuncture (EA) combined therapy as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients by randomized single-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Methods. A total of 31 newly diagnostic T2DM patients, who fulfilled the study's eligibility criteria, were recruited. The individuals were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group (TZD, N = 15) and the experimental group (TZD + EA, N = 16). Changes in their plasma free fatty acid (FFA), glucose, and insulin levels, together with their homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) indices, were statistically compared before and after treatment. Hypoglycemic activity (%) was also compared between these two groups. Results. There was no significant difference in hypoglycemic activity between the TZD and TZD + EA group. The effectiveness of the combined therapy seems to derive from an improvement in insulin resistance and a significant lowering of the secreted insulin rather than the effect of TZD alone on T2DM. The combined treatment had no significant adverse effects. A lower plasma FFA concentration is likely to be the mechanism that causes this effect. Conclusion. This combined therapy seems to suppress endogenous insulin secretion by improving insulin resistance via a mechanism involving a reduction in plasma FFA. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01577095.

Acupoint‐Specific, Frequency‐Dependent, and Improved Insulin Sensitivity Hypoglycemic Effect of Electroacupuncture Applied to Drug‐Combined Therapy Studied by a Randomized Control Clinical Trial

“…In this study, combined therapy can decrease hyperinsulinemia stress, which improves insulin activity evaluated by the HOMA index via reducing plasma FFA levels [14]. Although no significant hypoglycemic effect was seen after single-dose EA combination therapy compared with single rosiglitazone treatment alone, a long-term and large sample-containing RCT is needed to clarify the hypoglycemic effect of EA combined with different medications in patients with DM.…”

Sham Electroacupuncture Methods in Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Among them, 5 studies29549095107 were published between 1992 and 1999; 33 studies22242527303138454752535657586768717273747778818384929397104105106110111 were published between 2000 and 2010; the remaining 56 studies1819202123262832333435363739404142434446484950515559606162636465666970757679808285868788899194969899100101102103108109 were reported from 2010 to 2015 (Fig. 2).…”

“…2). Indications for EA included pain (32 studies)1819212426273133363740424547515256606667727682848890929697103110111, anesthesia (8 studies)46507374868994102, stroke (7 studies)2528293462105106, depression (6 studies)235359656880, obesity (4 studies)32495470, primary dysmenorrheal/menstrual pain (4 studies)619899101, substance abuse (heroin or smoking) (3 studies)6495107, osteoarthritis (2 studies)22104, migraine (2 studies)3978, nausea and vomiting (2 studies)3857, postoperative ileus (2 studies)3591, insomnia (2 studies)6381, benign prostate hyperplasia (2 studies)7987, diabetic mellitus related diseases (2 studies)83109, carpal tunnel syndrome (1 study)100, rheumatoid arthritis (1 study)93, whiplash-associated disorders (1 study)69, constipation (1 study)48, multiple sclerosis (1 study)41, tinnitus (1 study)20, auditory hallucination (1 study)30, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1 study)…”

“…Eight studies26495476959697110 identified acupoints by using a point detector. The “ deqi ” sensation was required in 65 real EA groups181920212223242526293031333435363940414344474850515657585960616263646667697175777879808182838586879091939899100101102104105106109111 and 3 sham EA groups selected nonspecific acupoints6178101. Eight studies utilized pricking sensation to mimic needle sensation and blind participants in control group2021235260636781.…”

Effect of Peripheral Electrical Stimulation (PES) on Nocturnal Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study

“…A decrease in fasting glucose levels in obese women [21] and increased glucose disposal rate in normal subjects [22] were observed in response to a single treatment. However, no significant change in fasting glucose levels was found in women with polycystic ovary syndrome [23], and in T2DM patients when applied in combination with Rosiglitazone [24], possibly due to a low number and frequencies of treatments.…”