Continuous auricular acupuncture and daytime intermittent electroacupuncture as a complementary therapeutic improve glycemic variability and stability under Continuous Glycemic Monitoring System in hospitalized diabetic patients

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of continuous (24h) Auricular acupuncture (AAC) alone and combined with intermittent (20-30 mins daytime, three times per week) Electroacupuncture (EAC) on blood glucose variability (GV) and stability via (Con) CGMS. This approach goes beyond mean glucose levels and could serve as a key determinant of metabolic instability and complication risk in diabetes. The study focused on hospitalized patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and explored their distinct roles across different diurnal segments. Methods: This retrospective study, conducted at the Department of Endocrinology from 2023 to 2025, analyzed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) data from categorized patient groups (CGMS control, AAC, and AAC+EAC, n=984). Statistical analyses focused on overall mean blood glucose (MBG) and segment-specific (24h, 0-4h, 4-8h, 8-20h, 20-24h) ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) percentiles. Results: No significant difference in 24-hour MBG was observed among groups (P = 0.9297). Both AAC and AAC+EAC significantly reduced higher glucose percentiles (P75, P90, P95) across 24 hours and during daytime (8-20h) compared to controls. AAC alone was shown to have lower MBG in mid-to-high glucose ranges (P25-P95) during non-EAC periods (0-4h, 4-8h, 20-24h). Both AAC and AAC+EAC groups consistently exhibited significantly higher MBG at lower percentiles (P5, P10) than controls during all segments (0-4h, 4-8h, 20-24h). Notably, during daytime (8-20h), AAC+EAC showed significantly higher P5, P10, and P25 values compared to controls and AAC alone. Conclusion: Continuous AAC and daytime intermittent EAC effectively reduce glycemic variability in hospitalized patients. AAC provides sustained, broad-spectrum control over glycemic fluctuations in higher percentiles. Daytime EAC uniquely helps prevent lower glucose excursions during its use, indicating a protective role against daytime hypoglycemia. These findings support personalized, complementary interventions for optimized diabetes management.