Effect of laserpuncture at the ear acupoint MA-IC 3 Endocrine on fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose tolerance in prediabetic patients

Prediabetes is characterized by blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as full-blown diabetes. Prediabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a decade unless they adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes weight loss and increased physical activity. Alternative therapies, such as laserpuncture, are being continuously refined and may be applicable to prediabetes treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of laserpuncture on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and oral glucose tolerance (OGT) levels in prediabetic patients. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 26 patients allocated into a laserpuncture or a sham laserpuncture group. Laserpuncture therapy was administered two times weekly at the MA-IC 3 Endocrine ear acupoint for 6 weeks. FPG and OGT levels were used to measure the primary outcome. At 6 weeks, mean change in FPG was significantly different between the groups (laserpuncture group, 10±7.810 mg/dl and sham laserpuncture group, -4.08±10.943 mg/dl). Mean change in OGT was -3.38±30.065 and -6.23 9.774 mg/dl in the laserpuncture and sham laserpuncture groups, respectively (p<0.05). These results suggest that laserpuncture showed a positive effect on FPG and OGT levels in prediabetic patients.