Last updated July 18, 2026
Key finding
Acupuncture combined with diet resulted in an ~20% reduction in depression.
This study evaluated the efficacy of an anti-inflammatory diet combined with acupuncture in patients with type 2 diabetes and depression, finding significant reductions in depression and anxiety.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the efficacy of an anti-inflammatory diet combined with acupuncture in patients with type 2 diabetes and depression, finding significant reductions in depression and anxiety.
These findings suggest that integrating acupuncture with dietary changes could provide a holistic approach to managing both diabetes and depression, potentially improving patient outcomes. Given the prevalence of these conditions, such interventions could enhance quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
Limited sample size may affect generalizability. No long-term follow-up data were provided. Comparisons with standard treatment showed no significant differences.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Pardis I, Amir F, Javad H, Erfan S, Mohammad HA, Nazli N. Efficacy of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Combined with Acupuncture in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Depression. Nutrition & Diabetes. 2025;15:18. doi:10.1038/s41387-025-00373-y
Acupuncture combined with diet resulted in a ~20% reduction in depression.
Acupuncture combined with diet resulted in a ~20% reduction in anxiety.
Waist circumference decreased significantly by 4.28 cm (p = 0.04).
HbA1c levels decreased significantly by 0.82% (p = 0.008).
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet, Low-fat diet, Standard treatment and Anxiety score, Depression score, HDL cholesterol, and 2 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
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Related topics
8
Evidence pairs
851
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Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_intervention_and_outcome
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → Anxiety score
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → Anxiety score
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → Depression score
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → Depression score
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → HbA1c
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → HbA1c
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → HDL cholesterol
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → HDL cholesterol
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → Waist circumference
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet → Waist circumference
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet and Mental Health, Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet and Mental Health.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies on Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet
Contributes to Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet evidence base.
All studies measuring Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
Measures Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Mental Health
Measures Mental Health as a key outcome.
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Published within the last 2 years.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet appears to improve Anxiety score.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Anxiety score
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet appears to improve Depression score.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Depression score
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet appears to improve HDL cholesterol.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
HDL cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Acupuncture combined with an anti-inflammatory diet appears to improve Waist circumference.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Waist circumference
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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