Acupuncture in diabetic peripheral neuropathy-neurological outcomes of the randomized acupuncture in diabetic peripheral neuropathy trial

Table 1 Baseline characteristics, n (%)

Characteristics	Acupuncture group (n = 31)	Control group (n = 31)
Age mean (SD)	66.7 (7.6)	69.5 (7.2)
Age group > 60 yr	24 (77.4)	27 (87.1)
Male	25 (80.6)	24 (77.4)
BMI > 25 kg/m²	27 (87.1)	27 (87.1)
Duration of neuropathy symptoms > 5 yr	14 (45.2)	19 (61.3)
Types of neuropathy
Painful neuropathy	4 (12.9)	7 (22.6)
Mixed neuropathy	27 (87.1)	24 (77.4)
Severe neuropathy	3 (10.0)	7 (24.1)
Palpable pedal pulse right	29 (93.6)	25 (80.7)
Palpable pedal pulse left	25 (83.3)	26 (86.7)
Relevant comorbidities (cardiovascular, hyperlipidemia, arthrosis)	27 (87.1)	27 (87.1)
Previous treatment with medication	12 (38.1)	13 (41.9)
NPSI total intensity score
Mean (SD)	28.1 ± 15.8	28.8 ± 20.5
Median (range)	30 (4-63)	23 (0-72)
11-NRS scale for numbness
Mean (SD)	5.8 ± 1.8	5.8 ± 2.0
Median (range)	6 (0-9)	6 (1-8)
NDS
Mean (SD)	8.1 ± 2.6	8.1 ± 1.9
Median (range)	9 (2-10)	8 (4-10)
NSS
Mean (SD)	7.2 ± 1.8	7.6 ± 1.5
Median (range)	7 (4-10)	7 (5-10)
TNSc Total
Mean (SD)	10.2 ± 4.1	11.3 ± 3.9
Median (range)	11 (2-17)	11 (6-19)
NSS Sub-groups
Mild	3 (9.7)	0 (0.0)
Moderate	8 (25.8)	6 (19.3)
Severe	20 (64.5)	25 (80.7)
Sural nerve conduct velocity of both legs (m/s)
Mean (SD)	40.9 ± 13.6	33.6 ± 19.9
Median (range)	44 (0-59)	44 (0-55)
Sural nerve Amplitude of the sensory nerve action potential of both legs (µV)
Mean (SD)	4.0 ± 1.9	3.7 ± 2.1
Median (range)	4 (0-7)	4 (0-7)

TENS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; NPSI: Neuropathy symptom pain inventory; NRS: Numeric rating scale; NDS: Neuropathy deficit score; NSS: Neuropathy symptom score; TNSc: Total clinical ceuropathy score; BMI: Body mass index.