Interval Training and Electromagnetic Therapy on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Diabetic Elderly

Diabetes mellitus is a continuously growing epidemic all over the world. The continuously increasing number of patients with diabetes mellitus and its complications is a serious challenge to patients and health care providers. Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in patients with diabetes mellitus worldwide. The presence of diabetes mellitus in addition to getting older magnifies the cardiovascular disease risk and predisposes to its occurrence at an earlier age. The prevalence of different cardiovascular disease types within patients with diabetes reached 18 % in Saudi Arabia.

The Lower limb diabetes-related complications are common and usually associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Diabetes mellitus contributes significantly to the development of peripheral vascular disorders, ischemia, and even amputation. A strong correlation exists between Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, about 44% and 52% of deaths in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, respectively, are due to cardiovascular disease. Diabetes mellitus magnifies the chance of dying from cardiovascular disorders by two to four times in patients with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. This fact highlights the importance of introducing cardiovascular disease risk-reduction strategies in the management programs.

Furthermore, cardiovascular disease risk is proportionally increased and correlated with the hyperglycemia status even before diabetes diagnosis. The existence of other factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, accelerates the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. So, early identification and management of cardiovascular disease risk is a major concern during diabetes mellitus management. Diabetes mellitus is tightly correlated as a causative agent to peripheral circulatory disturbances, limb ischemia, and even amputation. Early and proper management of the diabetes-related lower limb abnormalities is crucial for minimizing complications and dysfunction.

Moderate to high-intensity interval training is commonly included in the management programs for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies demonstrated favorable effects of exercise training on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus. Physical training can improve cardiopulmonary and metabolic variables that, in turn, can ameliorate complications' progression and improve disease prognosis.

Engagement in regular physical training can significantly reduce the cardiovascular disease risk. An increase of weekly activity hours by 11.25 metabolic equivalents can reduce cardiovascular disease mortality by 23%. Increased physical activity has a positive impact on cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and psychosocial function in patients with DM, resulting in a lower mortality rate.

Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has beneficial and prognostic impacts on metabolic profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus due to its favorable, vasoactive, neuro-stimulatory, and analgesic effects. Studies clarified favorable effects of therapeutic pulsed electromagnetic field application on different musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A Recent study demonstrated significant effects of cross-over application of the electromagnetic field therapy and interval exercise training on the balance and peripheral vascular status in patients with diabetes mellitus.

To our knowledge and recent literature, no study has investigated the effects of combined application of both interval training and low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on cardiovascular disease risk and lower extremity function in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Inclusion criteria

• Sedentary older adult (65-75 years old).
• Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Glycosylated hemoglobin ≥ 6.5%.
• Receiving oral anti-diabetic medications only.
• Cognitively competent and able to understand and follow instructions.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients younger than 65 or older than 75.
• Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
• Included in an active exercise training or physiotherapy program within the last 6 months.
• With serious cardiac insults as myocardial infarction, lower limbs metal implants (internal fixation).