Combined Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Aerobic Exercise on Peripheral Arterial Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Trial | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 131, Volume 100, Issue 1, July 2025, Page 3465-3471 PDF (533.31 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.445978 | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant factor contributing to impaired mobility and increased cardiovascular risk. While aerobic exercise remains a fundamental part of PAD rehabilitation, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used as a promising adjunct to improve perfusion and promote angiogenesis. Objective: To examine the combined effect of LLLT and aerobic exercise on peripheral arterial function, pain, and functional walking capacity in T2DM patients with PAD. Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 40 patients aged 55–65 years with T2DM and mild-to-moderate PAD. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A received LLLT (scan; 808 nm, 450 mW) in addition to moderate aerobic exercise, and Group B received aerobic exercise only. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week). Outcome measures included the ankle-brachial index (ABI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), pain assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional treadmill metrics, such as initial claudication distance, absolute claudication distance, time to initial and absolute claudication, and VO2 max. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in ABI, PSV, VAS, and treadmill parameters (p < 0.05). Compared to Group B, Group < strong> A demonstrated significantly greater gains in ABI (20% vs. 13.6%), larger reductions in PSV (52.7% vs. 45.4%), and a bigger decrease in pain intensity (VAS: 48.8% vs. 29.2%). Treadmill performance improved significantly in both groups, with Group A achieving better outcomes in initial claudication distance, absolute claudication distance, and time to initial and absolute claudication (p < 0.05). Although VO₂ max improved in both groups, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant; however, group A showed a greater performance. Conclusion: The combination of low-level laser therapy and aerobic exercise proved more effective than exercise alone in improving vascular function, relieving pain, and enhancing walking ability in diabetic patients with PAD. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| PAD; Photobiomodulation, Walking Capacity; Peak Systolic Velocity | ||||
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