In an interesting, but small, study out of China, researchers evaluated the efficacy of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) in alleviating pain in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN).
Fifty participants were randomized to either LIFU or placebo therapy for 7 days . Compared to placebo therapy, patients in the LIFU group (n = 25) demonstrated significantly lower numeric pain rating scale scores (3.96 ± 1.07 versus 2.76 ± 1.79, P < .05). Additionally, significant improvements in neuropathic symptoms, as measured by neuropathy symptom score, were observed in the LIFU group post-treatment. Notably, LIFU therapy did not alter the conduction velocities or amplitudes of the bilateral peroneal, tibial, and sural nerves as measured by electromyography.
The authors concluded that LIFU therapy was effective in reducing pain and improving neuropathic symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate PDPN and called for future studies to investigate the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of this novel therapeutic approach.
Source: Zhang X, Wang Y, Peng W. Explore the effect of low-intensity focused ultrasound on pain relief in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A pilot randomized trial. J Ultrasound Med. 2025 May 5. doi: 10.1002/jum.16716.
