Actively Recruiting
A Physiologic Comparison of Intraneural Facilitation Therapy and Standard Physical Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes
Led by Loma Linda University · Updated on 2025-11-19
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating two treatment approaches for Peripheral Neuropathy in people with Type 2 Diabetes, a common and costly complication causing symptoms like pain, numbness, and tingling. This study aims to better understand how Intraneural Facilitation Therapy (INF4 Therapy), a non-invasive manual technique, compares to standard physical therapy in improving neuropathy symptoms and underlying physiological functions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving nine 60-minute sessions of INF4 Therapy, which involves specific manual holds to improve blood flow in nerves, and the other receiving nine 60-minute sessions of standard physical therapy focused on muscle stretching, balance, and strengthening exercises. Treatments occur over 6 weeks during 11 study visits, including initial and follow-up assessments. Throughout the study, participants will undergo various tests including pain assessments, heart rate variability monitoring using the Welltory App, vascular imaging, blood oxygen and flow measurements, and blood draws to measure inflammation and blood sugar control. These evaluations occur at several visits to monitor changes and treatment effects. The study will analyze these measures to understand how each therapy impacts nerve function, blood flow, and inflammation over the 6-week period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Physiologic Comparison of Two Approaches to Treating Peripheral Neuropathy
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Between the ages of 45 and 85
- Diagnosed moderate to severe type II diabetic neuropathy with symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning, sharp pain, or increased sensitivity
- Diagnosis confirmed by a physician
- Access to a cellphone with Android 5.0 or later or iOS 14.0 or later
You will not qualify if you...
- Medical conditions likely to cause decline in the next 6 months, such as chemotherapy or radiation
- Lower extremity amputations
- Open wounds
- Active drug or alcohol misuse
- Chronic liver disease
- Active inflammations
- Neuropathies not related to diabetes, including B12 deficiency and Charcot Marie Tooth
- Morbid obesity
- Pregnancy
- Taking beta blockers
- Unable to maintain steady fingers or operate a cellphone
- Smoking or using marijuana
- Having a pacemaker
- Allergies to cobalt, chrome, or nickel
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) for informed consent and eligibility confirmation
Duration - Approximately 6 weeks
Participants receive nine 60-minute sessions of either Intraneural Facilitation Therapy or standard physical therapy to treat peripheral neuropathy symptoms.
11 sessions with assessments on sessions 1, 2, 5, 10, and 11
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Loma Linda University Health Neuropathic Therapy Center
Loma Linda, California, United States, 92350
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mark Bussell, DPT, OCS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Global and regional diabetes prevalence estimates for 2019 and projections for 2030 and 2045: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas, 9th edition.
Pouya Saeedi, Inga Petersohn, Paraskevi Salpea...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31518657Diabetic neuropathy.
Eva L Feldman, Brian C Callaghan, Rodica Pop-Busui...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31197153The health care costs of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the US.
Adam Gordois, Paul Scuffham, Arran Shearer...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12766111Pain severity in diabetic peripheral neuropathy is associated with patient functioning, symptom levels of anxiety and depression, and sleep.
Mugdha Gore, Nancy A Brandenburg, Ellen Dukes...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16256902Epidemiology of Peripheral Neuropathy and Lower Extremity Disease in Diabetes.
Caitlin W Hicks, Elizabeth Selvin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31456118Diabetic neuropathy: what does the future hold?
Brian C Callaghan, Gary Gallagher, Vera Fridman...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31974731Effects of a Novel Therapeutic Intervention in Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.
Adel Alshahrani, Mark Bussell, Eric Johnson...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26808781Microcirculatory vasomotor changes are associated with severity of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Pi-Chang Sun, Cheng-Deng Kuo, Lin-Yang Chi...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23241514Proinflammatory cytokines predict the incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy over 5 years in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients: A prospective cohort study.
Hangping Zheng, Wanwan Sun, Qi Zhang...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33385123