The Combined Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Insulin Therapy on Glycated Hemoglobin Concentrations, Lipid Profiles and Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients with Type-2-Diabetes and Hemiplegia Related to Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Type-2-diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global problem of medical, social and economic consequences. Physical activity is a vital therapy in patients with T2DM, but some of them cannot exercise for various reasons. The purpose of our pilot study was to determine whether a combination of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) and insulin therapy could improve the management of T2DM patients with hemiplegia caused by an ischemic stroke. Fifteen immobile patients with T2DM on insulin therapy were enrolled in the study. NMES was applied to their lower limbs for 60 min, 5 days a week, over a period of 12 weeks. The intervention caused statistically significant reductions in the blood concentrations of glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol in the participants. Furthermore, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were significantly lower. More randomized clinical trials are needed to accurately measure the effect of NMES on T2DM treatment and to determine whether it can be an alternative for physical activity for immobile patients with T2DM.

The Effect of Foot Bath on Physiological Parameters and Anxiety in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Similar to our study, Khost et al [27] showed that foot massage increased the oxygen saturation of arterial blood in patients with stroke. Rubinowicz-Zasada et al [28] also showed that electrical neuromuscular stimulation in combination with diabetes treatments in diabetic patients with stroke can be effective in lowering blood pressure in these patients.…”

The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on serum glucose levels in children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus: a single group clinical trial

“…In the present study, the HbA1c level reduced following 8 weeks of NMES, but not significantly. However, the results of previous studies on the effect of NMES on HbA1c levels in patients with type-2 diabetes were contradictory [ 9 , 15 , 23 , 24 ]. Louis Crow et al showed that 8 weeks of electrical stimulation reduced HbA1c levels significantly in men with type-2 diabetes [ 23 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, the contradictory result was reported by Oonagh M. Giggins et al, that eight-week electrical stimulation did not lead to significant changes in HbA1c levels in patients with type-2 diabetes [ 9 ]. In another study, the findings indicated that 12 weeks of NMES in patients with type-2 diabetes and cerebral palsy reduced the levels of HbA1c, total cholesterol and LDL significantly [ 24 ]. These conflicting results may be due to the differences in the electrical stimulation parameters applied and the duration of the intervention or the sample size.…”

Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Lower Limbs can be used to Treat of Patients with Type-2-Diabetes?

“…However, some patients with T2DM and hemiplegia caused by a stroke, or motor system disorders, cannot exercise. The results of clinical studies indicate that physical exercise could be replaced in such cases by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) [5]. In our pilot study [5] was to determine whether a combination of Neuromuscular Electro Stimulation (NMES) and insulin therapy could improve the management of T2DM patients with hemiplegia caused by an ischemic stroke.…”

“…The results of clinical studies indicate that physical exercise could be replaced in such cases by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) [5]. In our pilot study [5] was to determine whether a combination of Neuromuscular Electro Stimulation (NMES) and insulin therapy could improve the management of T2DM patients with hemiplegia caused by an ischemic stroke. Fifteen patients with T2DM on insulin therapy and post-stroke hemiplegia were enrolled in the study.…”