Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraneural facilitation (INF) for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods: This single-blind, randomized clinical trial enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and moderate-to-severe DPN symptoms below the ankle. Patients were randomly assigned to receive INF or sham treatment. In the INF group, trained INF physical therapists provided therapy for 50–60 min, three times a week for 3 weeks. Sham treatment consisted of patients believing they received anodyne therapy for 3 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment data were compared between the two groups for quality of life, balance, gait, protective sensory function and pain outcome measures. Results: A total of 28 patients (17 males) were enrolled in the study (INF group n = 17; sham group n = 11). There was a significant decrease in the overall pain score in both the INF and sham groups over time, but the decrease was greater in the INF group (1.11 versus 0.82). Between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences in unpleasant pain and protective sensory function. The INF group showed post-treatment improvements in protective sensory function and composite static balance score. Conclusions: INF treatment improved pain perception, the composite static balance score and protective sensations in patients with DPN. Research Registry number: CNCT04025320

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of our dual approach in treating neural ischemia. Methods: Researchers were able to retrospectively audit patient data collected from January 2022–September 2024. Patients were included if they received intraneural facilitation^® (INF^®), participated in neurovascular index (NVI)-guided food elimination, and completed pre and post pain-quality assessment scale (PQAS) forms in its entirety. Results: Eighteen of the twenty PQAS descriptive pain variables were significantly different pre- vs. post treatment: intense (p = 0.000), sharp (p = 0.002), hot (p = 0.020), dull (p = 0.022), cold (p = 0.005), sensitive (p = 0.000), shooting (p = 0.000), numb (p = 0.000), electrical (p = 0.000), tingling (p = 0.000), cramping (p = 0.000), radiating (p = 0.000), throbbing (p = 0.000), aching (p = 0.000), heavy (p = 0.000), unpleasant (p = 0.000), deep pain (p = 0.000), and intense surface pain (p = 0.000). Itchy (p = 0.058) and tender (p = 0.062) were not found to be significant. There was also significance in pain decrease in the three mean domains: paroxysmal (p = 0.000), superficial (p = 0.000), and deep (p = 0.000). Conclusions: This study suggests that blending a mechanical intervention (INF^®) with a lifestyle modification (NVI-guided food elimination) is effective in improving PQAS scores in patients with peripheral neuropathy, indicating a possible reversal of neural ischemia and maintenance of capillary patency.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a prevalent complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D), associated with microvascular dysfunction and significant morbidity. Exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes care and has demonstrated benefits for neuropathic pain, whereas Intraneural Facilitation^TM (INF^®) therapy is a manual technique designed to enhance intraneural perfusion. This study compared the effects of INF^® therapy and exercise on neuropathic pain qualities in adults with DPN. Methods: In this single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 38 adults with T2D and moderate to severe DPN were randomized to INF^® therapy (n = 20) or standardized exercise (n = 18). Participants completed nine 60-min sessions over a period of six weeks. Neuropathic pain qualities were assessed using the Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS) at baseline and post-treatment. Paired t tests, independent t tests, and linear mixed models adjusted for age and body-mass index (BMI) evaluated within- and between-group changes. Results: Both treatment groups demonstrated significant reductions in total PQAS scores (p = 0.001). INF^® therapy produced improvements across paroxysmal, superficial, and deep pain domains, with reductions in descriptors such as shooting, sharp, electrical, numb, and unpleasant pain. Exercise led to selective improvements, including sharp, electrical, numb, sensitive, and unpleasant sensations associated with pain. Between-group analyses and mixed-effects models revealed no significant differences after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Both INF^® therapy and exercise improved neuropathic pain qualities in adults with DPN. INF^® therapy demonstrated broader within-group effects, suggesting its potential as a passive adjunct or alternative for patients unable to tolerate active exercise.