Bolster Marie, Dietzel Joanna, Habermann Isabel Valentina, Hörder Sebastian, Brinkhaus Benno, Stöckigt Barbara
Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
Insitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 Sep 1;25(1):317. doi: 10.1186/s12906-025-05064-w.
This qualitative study aims to analyse the experiences, perceptions, and motivations of patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), who received acupuncture treatments for the symptoms of DPN as part of a Randomized-Controlled Trial (RCT).
Semi-structured interviews were carried out with participants of a two-arm RCT as part of a mixed-methods study. The interviews were conducted fact-to-face or via phone using a semi-structured interview guide with questions on living with DPN, the medical care for DPN prior to the study, the acupuncture treatments and the overall trial participation.
In total, 10 participants participated between January - December 2020 in this study. All but one participant had positive experiences with acupuncture and reported a reduction of DPN symptoms. They had varying experiences and needs and adopted a range of different coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms and condition prior to participating in the RCT. Many felt dissatisfied with the lack of current treatment options and insufficient medical care for DPN and wished to reduce medication. Acceptance of acupuncture was high, particularly among those wishing to reduce medication. The findings of the qualitative study are in line with the results of the RCT.
Results the qualitative study indicate that acupuncture could be an acceptable and perceived effective treatment option for DPN patients. Declarations.
RCT: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03755960. Registered on 11 August 2018.
本定性研究旨在分析糖尿病周围神经病变（DPN）患者的经历、看法和动机，这些患者作为随机对照试验（RCT）的一部分，接受了针对DPN症状的针灸治疗。
作为混合方法研究的一部分，对双臂RCT的参与者进行了半结构化访谈。访谈通过面对面或电话方式进行，使用半结构化访谈指南，问题涉及DPN患者的生活、研究前的DPN医疗护理、针灸治疗以及整个试验参与情况。
2020年1月至12月期间，共有10名参与者参与了本研究。除一名参与者外，所有参与者对针灸都有积极体验，并报告DPN症状有所减轻。在参与RCT之前，他们有不同的经历和需求，并采用了一系列不同的应对机制来管理自己的症状和病情。许多人对目前缺乏DPN治疗选择和医疗护理不足感到不满，并希望减少用药。针灸的接受度很高，尤其是在那些希望减少用药的人群中。定性研究结果与RCT结果一致。
定性研究结果表明，针灸可能是DPN患者可接受且被认为有效的治疗选择。声明。
RCT：ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03755960。于2018年8月11日注册。
