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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07661160

The Impact of Laser Acupuncture on Type 2 Diabetes

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Type 2 Diabetes Body Weight Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity ObesityType 2 Diabetes Mellitus Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

40 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 4260010, Egypt

About this study

This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial designed to test the effect of Laser Acupuncture (LA) on BSI, glycemic control, sleep quality, and diabetes-related distress in women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), combined with diet and diabetes medications.

A Body Shape Index (ABSI) is a novel anthropometric index that has shown the strongest independent association with all-cause mortality among anthropometric indices, making it a valuable non-invasive tool for early identification of high-risk individuals. It has been shown that Body Shape Index is a predictor of the risk of pathologies associated with all-cause mortality in individuals with diabetes. Therefore, monitoring ABSI and evaluating interventions that may improve it are important to decrease future health risks among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Laser acupuncture is a non-invasive, painless alternative to traditional needle acupuncture, in which low-intensity light beams stimulate acupoints to release neurotransmitters and other substances. Prior evidence suggests this stimulation may improve insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose, increasing interest in evaluating its effect on ABSI in patients with T2DM.

The study discusses complementary and non-invasive therapies for T2DM management. A positive finding support integrating laser acupuncture into standard care to potentially reduce complication and mortality risks by improving metabolic health indicators such as ABSI.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female patients 40 -50 years.
  • Patients with uncontrolled diabetes type 2 (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%)
  • Clinically stable
  • Sedentary active on Physical Activity Rating scale (Dicks et al., 2019).
  • BMI 30-35 Kg/m2.
  • No prior acupuncture treatment.
  • Patients that have diabetes type 2, started more than 5 year ago.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant women.
  • Positive and negative smokers
  • Patients with a cardiac pacemaker
  • Autoimmune diseases related to diabetes
  • History of malignancy or Cancer patients.
  • History of uncontrolled cardiovascular complications.
  • Photo-sensitivity or any skin conditions that may interfere with laser application.
  • Participants diagnosed with pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes, or Type1 diabetes.
  • Patients with severe diabetes complication
  • Patients with Thyroid problems.
  • Patients with severe psychological problems.
  • Patients who receive anti-inflammatory steroid therapy and medications for hypercholesterolemia
  • Patients with kidney or liver complications.
  • Patients with chronic digestive disorders more than 3 month
  • Patients who perform regular exercise.
  • Patients with a history of seizures

Treatment and study plan

Laser acupuncture

Device

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.

Sham laser acupuncture

Device

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. A Body Shape Index (ABSI)

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    An allometric index calculated from Waist Circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), and Height. It is calculated as follows: ABSI = WC / (BMI^(2/3) × Height^(1/2)).

    ABSI does not have a fixed minimum or maximum, as it is a continuous allometric index as there is individual variations. The lower the ABSI score, the better the outcome (i.e., lower risk of morbidity and mortality)

  2. HbA1c:

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    It indicates the long-term glycemic control, providing an average blood glucose value over the lifespan of the red blood cell (approximately 2-3 months). It is measured by the turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA) method.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Waist Circumstance:

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    Measured in centimeters (cm) using a non-elastic measuring tape at the smallest circumference between the costal margin and the iliac crest, assessed after a normal expiration. There is no fixed minimum or maximum value. A lower waist circumference post-intervention indicates a better outcome.

  2. Body weight:

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    Measured in kilograms (kg) using a digital weighing scale, to the nearest 0.5 kg, with the participant standing with minimal movement, hands by their side, and shoes and excess clothing removed. There is no fixed minimum or maximum value. A reduction in body weight post-intervention is generally considered a favorable outcome in this population. . It can be used with Height to measure the BMI.

  3. Height Measurement:

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    Standing height measured in centimeters (cm) using a stadiometer, with the head, shoulders, buttocks, and heels touching the wall or back of the stadiometer, eyes straight ahead, shoulders relaxed, arms at the side, legs straight with knees together, and feet flat on the ground. This measurement is used as for calculating BMI and ABSI and is not expected to change with intervention.

  4. BMI Calculation:

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    BMI is calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²), classified into the following categories: underweight (<18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight/pre-obesity (25-29.9 kg/m²), obesity class I (30-34.9 kg/m²), obesity class II (35-39.9 kg/m²), and obesity class III (≥40 kg/m²). A lower BMI value, or a shift toward a lower category, post-intervention indicates a better outcome, reflecting improved weight status

  5. Sleep Quality

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    Assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-report questionnaire for subjective sleep quality. It is a sum of seven component scores, with each component ranging from 0 to 3.

    Good Sleep Quality: A Global Score of ≤ 5 Poor Sleep Quality/Significant Sleep Disturbance: A Global Score of > 5 (Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality).

  6. Diabetes Distress

    Time frame: 3 Months (Measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment)

    Assessed using the Diabetes Distress - Screening Scale (DDS17), a validated 17-item measure rated on a 6-point scale. 1 (not a problem) to 6 (a very significant problem) Little or No Distress: Mean item score < 2.0 Moderate Distress: Mean item score 2.0 - 2.9 (Clinically significant) High Distress: Mean item score ≥ 3.0 (Strongly warrants clinical attention)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Impact of Laser Acupuncture on Body Shape Index in Type 2 Diabetes

Acronym: LA/ABSI

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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