A randomized trial on the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Journal
Scientific reports
Journal Volume
13
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2023-02-15
Author(s)
Ou, Horng-Yih
Wu, Chung-Ze
Yang, Chwen-Yi
Jiang, Ju-Ying
Lu, Chieh-Hsiang
Hsieh, Meng-Lun
Du, Ye-Fong
Lin, Ching-Han
Hung, Hao-Chang
Tien, Kai-Jen
Yeh, Nai-Cheng
Lee, Shang-Yu
Yu, Hui-I
Abstract
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) has been demonstrated to be beneficial in glycemic control in animal models, but its application in humans has not been well studied. We randomly assigned 160 patients with type 2 diabetes on oral antidiabetic drugs 1:1 to the TENS study device (n = 81) and placebo (n = 79). 147 (92%) randomized participants (mean [SD] age 59 [10] years, 92 men [58%], mean [SD] baseline HbA1c level 8.1% [0.6%]) completed the trial. At week 20, HbA1c decreased from 8.1% to 7.9% in the TENS group (- 0.2% [95% CI - 0.4% to - 0.1%]) and from 8.1% to 7.8% in the placebo group (- 0.3% [95% CI - 0.5% to - 0.2%]) (P = 0.821). Glycemic variability, measured as mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) at week 20 were significantly different in the TENS group vs. the placebo group (66 mg/dL [95% CI 58, 73] vs. 79 mg/dL [95% CI 72, 87]) (P = 0.009). Our study provides the clinical evidence for the first time in humans that TENS does not demonstrate a statistically significant HbA1c reduction. However, it is a safe complementary therapy to improve MAGE in patients with type 2 diabetes.
SDGs
Type
journal article