The effect of auricular acupuncture combined with dietary guidance on blood glucose levels and compliance in diabetic patients: A retrospective case-control study

Inadequate glycemic control and poor treatment adherence remain major challenges in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, affecting both therapeutic outcomes and long-term prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining ear acupuncture with personalized dietary counseling on glycemic control, adherence, and quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 113 patients treated between January 2023 and December 2024, divided into an intervention group (auricular acupuncture plus dietary guidance, n = 55) and a control group (standard care, n = 58) for a 3-month intervention. Key outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, hemoglobin A1c, Morisky-8 adherence scores, 18-item Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire satisfaction scores, SF-36 quality of life scores, and safety indicators. After 3 months, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (all P < .05), as well as higher adherence and satisfaction scores. SF-36 results revealed improved physical function, role-physical, role-emotional, and mental health domains (P < .05), while adverse events were mild and self-limited. These findings indicate that ear acupuncture combined with dietary guidance is a safe, effective, and promising approach for improving glycemic control, treatment adherence, and quality of life, with strong potential for integration into community-based chronic disease management.