2019 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 50-60
Objective: We examined the effects of belt electrode skeletal muscle stimulation (B-SES) electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on blood glucose and lipid levels, body composition, muscular strength and muscular endurance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Design: In this pilot study, 12 ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes (7 males and 5 females, mean age 65 ± 7 years, body mass index 26.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.3 ± 0.5 %) received 20 Hz electrical muscle stimulation for 30 minutes on both legs, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the changes in HbA1c levels. Results: After the 12-week intervention, the decrease in HbA1c levels were not significant (－0.4 %, p＝0.284). However, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were significantly decreased (－0.32, p＝0.038). Significant improvements were observed in knee extension muscle strength (14 Nm/kg, p＝0.031) and knee extension muscle endurance (88 joule, p＜0.001). Conclusion: These data suggested that B-SES intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes improves insulin resistance, knee extension muscle strength, and knee extension muscle endurance.
