The Impact of Laser Acupuncture on Type 2 Diabetes

Summary

Laser Acupuncture for Type 2 Diabetes and Body Shape The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if laser acupuncture can help improve body shape and overall health in women with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

The main question it aims to answer is:

Does laser acupuncture lead to a better A Body Shape Index (ABSI) score in women with T2D compared to a sham (inactive) laser treatment?

The A Body Shape Index (ABSI) is a way to measure body shape that is linked to health risks like diabetes complications and early death. A lower ABSI score is better.

The Laser Acupuncture Group will be compared to a Sham Laser Acupuncture Group to see if the active laser treatment is more effective.

Participants will:

Be women aged 40 to 50 with uncontrolled T2D (HbA1c ≥7.5%) and a BMI between 30 and 35 (obesity class I).

Be randomly placed into one of two groups (Laser Acupuncture or Sham Laser Acupuncture).

Both groups will adhere to a low-glycemic-index (LGI) diet designed and prescribed by the Nutrition Clinic at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE).

Receive treatment twice a week for 12 weeks (24 sessions total). The laser or sham laser will be applied to specific points on the body (acupoints) for 24 seconds each.

Complete evaluations before and after the 12-week program, which will include:

Measuring their ABSI (calculated using waist size, height, and weight).

Measuring their HbA1c (a blood test that shows average blood sugar over the past 3 months).

Filling out questionnaires about sleep quality and diabetes-related emotional distress.

Conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes
• ObesityType 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Interventions

DEVICE

Laser Acupuncture

Application of low-intensity laser beams (Wavelength:850nm, Output power of 200 mW, Duration:24s per acupoint) to 9 specified body acupoints. Treatment frequency is 2 times/week for 12 weeks. All patients will adhere to the same Diet Plan that follow the guidelines for a low-glycemic-index (LGI) diet designed and prescribed by the Nutrition Clinic at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology. Treatment frequency is 2 times/week for 12 weeks.

DEVICE

Sham Laser Acupuncture

The same procedure as Laser Acupuncture, but the device is applied without turning it on (inactive). All patients will adhere to the same Diet Plan that follow the guidelines for a low-glycemic-index (LGI) diet designed and prescribed by the Nutrition Clinic at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology. Treatment frequency is 2 times/week for 12 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rana H Elbanna, Ph.D · Cairo University

• Heba R Mohamed, Ph.D · The National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology

• Nesreen G Elnahas, Ph.D · Cairo University

• Noha S Gaballah, B.P.T. · Cairo University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-28

Primary Completion

2026-02-28

Completion

2026-04-30

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations