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

Aims: To evaluate the combined effect of moderate intensity interval training and low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on cardiovascular disease risk and lower extremity functioning in the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: One hundred patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated into four groups: group A (received moderate intensity interval training+low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy; n=25), group-B (received low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy only; n=25), group C (received moderate intensity interval training only; n=25), and (control group; no intervention; n=25). Treatment programs for groups A, B, and C were in the form of twice-weekly sessions for 8 weeks. Variables were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study. The cardiovascular disease risk (evaluated using the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease risk estimator plus tool, Framingham Cardiovascular Disease risk estimation tool, and the mean arterial pressure methods). Lower extremity functioning was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery. Within and between-subjects statistical comparisons were performed to test the hypothesis (to test whether the combined application of moderate intensity interval training+low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is effective in improving the cardiovascular disease risk and lower limbs functional status in ethe lderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus), A P-value of \<0.05 was considered significant.