Clinical Study on Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy with Yang-Deficiency and Cold-Coagulation Syndrome Using Footbath with Wenyang Quhan Tongluo Prescription as an Adjuvant to Western Medicine
Abstract:Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of footbath with Wenyang Quhan Tongluo Prescription as an adjuvant to western medicine in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with yang-deficiency and coldcoagulation syndrome. Methods: A total of 98 patients with DPN yang-deficiency and cold-coagulation syndrome treated at Quzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January to September 2024 were selected and divided into a combined treatment group and a western medicine group,with 49 cases in each group,using a random number table method. Both groups were given oral hypoglycemic drugs or subcutaneous insulin injections. The western medicine group was additionally treated with Mecobalamin Tablets and Beraprost Sodium Tablets,while the combined treatment group was given the footbath with Wenyang Quhan Tongluo Prescription on the basis of the western medicine group. Both groups were treated for four weeks. Clinical efficacy,traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores,Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) scores, lower limb nerve conduction velocity, dorsal artery blood flow indicators, anklebrachial indexes, and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment,the total effective rate in the combined treatment group was 93.88%( 46/49),higher than that in the western medicine group at 79.59% (39/49) (P<0.05). Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores and TCSS scores in both groups were decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.05), with the combined treatment group achieving lower scores than the western medicine group( P<0.05). The motor nerve conduction velocity( MCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) of the peroneal nerve and the MCV and SCV of the tibial nerve in both groups were increased compared to those before treatment (P<0.05),with the combined treatment group achieving faster velocities than the western medicine group (P<0.05). The blood flow velocity of the dorsal artery was increased (P<0.05), the resistance index of the dorsal artery was decreased (P<0.05),and the ankle-brachial index was increased (P<0.05) in both groups compared to those before treatment. The combined treatment group had a faster blood flow velocity,lower resistance index of the dorsal artery, and higher ankle-brachial index than the western medicine group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion:Footbath with Wenyang Quhan Tongluo Prescription as an adjuvant to western medicine in treating DPN with yang-deficiency and cold-coagulation syndrome can enhance therapeutic effects, alleviate clinical symptoms, increase lower limb nerve conduction velocity,and improve lower limb blood circulation,with good safety.