High‐Tone Power Therapy Versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Polyneuropathic Pain in Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT Background and Purpose Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of high‐tone power therapy (HiToP) with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in managing polyneuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled trial, conducted over 3 months, involved 60 male diabetic patients with controlled T2DM who had received medical treatment. Subjects were randomized into two groups: Group A was subjected to HiToP, and Group B received TENS. Both interventions were administered for 30 min, three times a week. Evaluation Primary outcomes included the assessment of polyneuropathic pain using the Pain Pressure Threshold (PTT) algometer, as well as the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4). Secondary outcomes included quality of life (QoL), measured utilizing the WHOQOL questionnaire; glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c); and sleep disturbance, assessed via the Insomnia Severity Index. Outcomes were documented at baseline and during the post‐intervention period. Results The results indicated marked differences between both cohorts' post‐treatment, with mean differences (MD) and 95% CI for DN4, PPT, HbA1c, and insomnia equal to −0.87 (−1.17 to −0.56), 0.3 (0.1 to 0.5), −0.08 (−0.13 to −0.04), and −3.97 (−4.62 to −3.31), respectively. The MD and 95% CI for the QoL domains of social relationships, environmental health, physical health, and psychological health were 7.2 (6.36 to 8.04), 7.13 (6.62 to 7.65), 10.23 (9.17 to 11.3), 14.87 (13.82 to 15.92), and 7.2 (6.36 to 8.04), respectively, indicating a more favorable outcome for Group A. Discussion For diabetic patients, HiToP demonstrated significantly superior outcomes over TENS in alleviating polyneuropathic pain, improving sleep quality, lowering HbA1c, and enhancing QoL in males with T2DM. Trail Registration The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06822218).