Pouria Shourabi1, Reza Bagheri2, Damoon Ashtary-Larky3, Alexei Wong4, Mohamad S Motevalli5, Akram Hedayati5, Julien S Baker6, Amir Rashidlamir7. 1. Department of Corrective Exercises, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. 2. Department of Exercise Physiology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. 3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 4. Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, Arlington, United States. Electronic address: awong@marymount.edu. 5. Department of Exercise Physiology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. 6. Centre for Health and Exercise Science Research, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. 7. Department of Exercise Physiology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: Rashidlamir@um.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: and purpose: Nerve growth factor (NGF) concentrations and balance are reduced in diabetic neuropathy (DN) patients. We examined the effects of hydrotherapy and massage on NGF, balance and glycemic markers in middle aged DN patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned into four groups, aquatic exercise (AE; n = 10), AE + massage (AM; n = 10), massage (M; n = 10) or control (C; n = 9). Subjects in AE and AM groups exercised three times per week. Subjects in the AM and M groups received massage during the same period. Glycemic markers, NGF and balance were evaluated prior to and following the interventions. RESULTS:NGF, glycemic markers and dynamic balance improved in AE, AM and M groups; however, the increase was greater following the AM trial (p < 0.01) when compared to the other trials. CONCLUSION: A combination of hydrotherapy and massage enhances NGF concentrations, balance and the glycemic profile compared to hydrotherapy or massage alone.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: and purpose: Nerve growth factor (NGF) concentrations and balance are reduced in diabetic neuropathy (DN) patients. We examined the effects of hydrotherapy and massage on NGF, balance and glycemic markers in middle aged DN patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients were randomly assigned into four groups, aquatic exercise (AE; n = 10), AE + massage (AM; n = 10), massage (M; n = 10) or control (C; n = 9). Subjects in AE and AM groups exercised three times per week. Subjects in the AM and M groups received massage during the same period. Glycemic markers, NGF and balance were evaluated prior to and following the interventions. RESULTS:NGF, glycemic markers and dynamic balance improved in AE, AM and M groups; however, the increase was greater following the AM trial (p < 0.01) when compared to the other trials. CONCLUSION: A combination of hydrotherapy and massage enhances NGF concentrations, balance and the glycemic profile compared to hydrotherapy or massage alone.