Abstract | OBJECTIVE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with symptoms and signs of peripheral neuropathy were randomized to the electrotherapy or sham treatment (control) group. The electrostimulation was given by a portable unit (H-Wave machine) than generated a biphasic, exponentially decaying waveform (pulse width 4 ms, 25-35 V, > or = 2 Hz). Patients treated each of their lower extremities for 30 min daily for 4 weeks at home. Nine patients from the sham-treatment group participated for a second period, during which all of them received the active electrotherapy. Patient's degree of pain and discomfort was graded on a scale of 0 to 5. RESULTS: In the sham-treated group (n = 13), the neuropathic symptoms improved in five (38%) patients, and the pain score declined from 2.92 +/- 0.13 to 2.38 +/- 0.26 (P < 0.04), suggesting a procedure-related placebo effect. In the electrotherapy group (n = 18), symptomatic improvement was seen in 15 (83%) cases, 3 of which were completely asymptomatic; the pain score declined from 3.17 +/- 0.12 to 1.44 +/- 0.25 (P < 0.01) and the posttreatment pain scores were considerably lower (P < 0.03), indicating a substantial treatment effect over and above any placebo influence. Patients in the electrotherapy group reported greater reduction in symptoms (52 +/- 7% vs. 27 +/- 10% in control subjects, P < 0.05) on an analog scale. Moreover, the electrotherapy decreased pain scores (from 3.0 +/- 0.62 to 1.56 +/- 0.32, P < 0.02) in nine patients who had received sham treatment earlier. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | D Kumar, H J Marshall |
Journal | Diabetes care
(Diabetes Care)
Vol. 20
Issue 11
Pg. 1702-5
(Nov 1997)
ISSN: 0149-5992 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9353612
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Cohort Studies
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
(complications)
- Diabetic Neuropathies
(complications, therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pain
(etiology)
- Pain Management
- Pain Measurement
- Peripheral Nervous System
(physiopathology)
- Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
(complications, therapy)
- Single-Blind Method
- Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
(standards)
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