Acupuncture Shows Promise in Reducing Blood Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Chengdu University in Sichuan, People's Republic of China, has found that acupuncture can significantly reduce blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal, involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials that enrolled 1,479 patients with type 2 diabetes. The analysis revealed that patients who received acupuncture had a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (SMD: -0.52; 95% CI: -0.91 to -0.13; P = 0.009), hemoglobin A1c (SMD: -0.76; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.27; P = 0.002), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (SMD: -0.69; 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.39; P = 0.0001).

Key Takeaways:

  • Acupuncture showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.52 (95% CI: -0.91 to -0.13; P = 0.009) for fasting blood glucose.
  • The analysis included 20 randomized controlled trials involving 1,479 patients with type 2 diabetes, which was conducted from inception to 3 July 2025.
  • The study's subgroup analysis, meta-regression, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias evaluation were also performed to assess the robustness of the findings.
  • The research concluded that future studies should focus on optimizing acupuncture protocols, assessing its long-term effects, and investigating the biological mechanisms behind its impact on type 2 diabetes.
  • The study's authors suggested that acupuncture may be a therapeutic option for patients with type 2 diabetes, and that further research should be conducted to confirm these findings.

Statistics:

  • 20 randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis, involving 1,479 patients with type 2 diabetes.
  • The analysis showed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (SMD: -0.52; 95% CI: -0.91 to -0.13; P = 0.009).
  • Hemoglobin A1c (SMD: -0.76; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.27; P = 0.002) and 2-hour postprandial glucose (SMD: -0.69; 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.39; P = 0.0001) were also significantly reduced in the acupuncture group.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Report Summarizes Type 2 Diabetes Study Findings from Chengdu University (Effect of acupuncture for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials). Clinical Trials Week. October 20, 2025; p 420.
  • Postgraduate Medical Journal. Effect of acupuncture for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2025.
  • Chengdu University. [No date available]
  • Oxford Univ Press. [No date available]