Effects of Acupuncture Artery Technique at ST40 on Peripheral Microcirculation and Sympathetic Activity in Patients with Wagner Grade 0 Diabetic Foot: A Randomized,Single-Blind,Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objectives:

To evaluate the immediate effects of the acupuncture artery technique at Fenglong (ST40) on peripheral microcirculation and sympathetic nerve activity in patients with Wagner grade 0 diabetic foot.

Methods:

For this randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, 60 patients with Wagner grade 0 diabetic foot were recruited and randomly assigned to receive a single session of ordinary acupuncture (n = 30) or acupuncture artery technique (n = 30). The primary outcome was the change in peripheral microcirculatory blood perfusion measured by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging. Blood flow perfusion and spectral changes in the left middle finger were monitored before, during, immediately post-, and 30 min post-acupuncture. Bilateral plantar temperature differences between both feet were measured pre- and post-acupuncture using infrared thermal imaging.

Results:

The acupuncture artery technique significantly increased microcirculatory blood perfusion, along with spectral power in the endothelial, sympathetic, and cardiac frequency bands during and immediately after needling, with effects returning to baseline 30 min postacupuncture. Furthermore, the acupuncture artery technique group showed a significantly greater reduction in bilateral plantar temperature differences compared with the ordinary acupuncture group. No significant adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions:

The acupuncture artery technique can immediately improve microcirculation and reduce bilateral plantar temperature differences in patients with Wagner grade 0 diabetic foot. Its mechanism may be related to the modulation of local autonomic nervous function, making it a potentially effective intervention for early-stage diabetic foot.