Primary Outcome Measures:
- Assessing the change of parameters of autonomic nerve function such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA), minute ventilation, and blood pressure by means of the LifeShirt [ Time Frame: 4 weeks of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Assessing the change of pain symptoms upon treatment of pregabalin in comparison to placebo [ Time Frame: 4 weeks of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
This study is designed to primarily examine how pregabalin affects the autonomic nerve or sympathetic-parasympathetic regulation in patients with diabetic neuropathy and its relationship to neuropathic pain. The goals of this study include (1) assessing the change of parameters of autonomic nerve function such as HRV, RSA, minute ventilation, and changes in objective sleep parameters measured by means of the LifeShirt, upon treatment of pregabalin in comparison to placebo; (2) assessing the symptom change of neuropathic pain upon treatment of pregabalin in comparison to placebo; (3) assessing the change of anxiety symptoms upon treatment of pregabalin in comparison to placebo; (4) assessing the change of depressive symptoms upon treatment of pregabalin in comparison to placebo; (5) assessing the relationship of autonomic nerve function with neuropathic pain at baseline prior to treatment and the correspondences to the study drug; (6) assessing the relationship of autonomic nerve function with anxiety and depressive symptoms at baseline prior to treatment and their correspondences to the study drug; (7) identifying sensitive and reliable parameters of autonomic nerve regulation as predictor(s) of the severity and improvement of neuropathic pain and/or anxiety; and (8) to assess the change in objective sleep parameters (EEG/EOG) by means of the LifeShirt, upon treatment of pregabalin in comparison to placebo