Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Reduce Pain and Improve Function in Adults With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Aged 45 to 60

What this Trial Is About

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common and often disabling complication affecting many people with diabetes, characterized by symptoms such as numbness, pain, and sensory changes in the feet that can spread upward. Researchers are evaluating the potential benefits of vagus nerve stimulation to reduce neuropathic pain, improve nerve function, and enhance daily activities in patients aged 45 to 60 with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This study aims to explore a non-drug treatment option that might improve quality of life and reduce the burden of chronic pain in diabetes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive traditional physical therapy combined with 30 minutes of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation five times per week for six weeks. The other group will receive the same physical therapy along with a placebo sham vagus nerve stimulation for the same duration and frequency. The vagus nerve stimulation involves using a device that delivers mild electrical pulses to specific areas of the ear, with heart rate monitored during sessions to ensure safety. During the study, participants will undergo assessments at the start and after six weeks, including measures of pain intensity, sensory and motor nerve conduction, nerve signal speed and latency in the lower limbs, and functional ability in daily activities. Researchers will monitor safety and treatment effects throughout. The total study participation lasts six weeks, with evaluations focusing on changes in neuropathic pain and nerve function to determine the impact of vagus nerve stimulation.

Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Pain Intensity, Nerve Conduction Studies and Functional Outcomes in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients