Observations on the curative effect of acupuncture on cardiac vegetative neuropathy of diabetes

Abstract

Thirty-six patients with type II diabetes were divided into medicine group treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and acupuncture group treated with needling. The patients had abnormity on blood glucose, glycosylatedhemoglobin (HbA₁), and the function of cardiac vegetative nerve before treatment. After one month’s treatment, there were marked decrease on blood glucose and HbA₁ in medicine group, but no change in acupuncture group. Patients of acupuncture group had an exact improving effect on Wassermann index, difference in heart rate between standing and lying position, 30/15R-R interval ratio and other function of cardiac vegetative nerve. It indicated acupuncture could improve the abnormal function of cardiac vegetative nerve.