ACUPUNCTURE AS AN ADJUNCT THERAPY FOR INSULIN RESISTANCE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES

A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains a major global health challenge, including in Malaysia. Pharmacological treatments often face issues such as poor adherence and clinical inertia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on insulin resistance in patients with T2D.

METHODOLOGY
Forty-six patients with T2D were recruited and randomized into either the acupuncture group or the placebo control group. Both groups received 10 sessions of acupuncture therapy using press needles or placebo needles applied to the abdominal area over a period of six weeks, while continuing their standard T2D treatment regimen. Insulin resistance, measured by HOMA-IR, was assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Adverse events were monitored at every visit. The trial adhered to The Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials Statement (CONSORT) reporting guideline.

RESULT
The mean age was 55.67 ± 9.41 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 7.58 ± 5.85 years. Acupuncture significantly reduced insulin resistance by 31.74% (mean HOMA-IR 4.12 ± 1.08) compared to the placebo control group, which showed a 12.01% increase (mean HOMA-IR 5.57 ± 1.16) (p <0.05), regardless of baseline adjustments. Within-group analysis also showed a significant reduction in HOMA-IR in the acupuncture group (from 6.08 ± 1.27 to 4.12 ± 1.08, p <0.05). However, no significant between-group differences were observed in the prevalence of poor HOMA-IR post-intervention, possibly due to the short intervention duration and the shorter needle lengths used. No adverse events were reported, except for one case of mild pain at the needle insertion site.

CONCLUSION
Acupuncture may serve as an effective adjunct therapy for improving insulin resistance in patients with T2D. Future studies with extended treatment duration and longer needles are recommended to validate these findings.