Comparison of the effect of separate and simultaneous application of Tecar therapy and low-level laser therapy on the neurological symptoms of type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy of lower limbs

• Published in: Turkish journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation 2024-09, Vol.70 (3), p.344-357
• Main Authors: Javan Amoli, Mitra, Khademi-Kalantari, Khosro, Niajalili, Maryam, Daryabor, Aliyeh, Sadat Naimi, Sedigheh
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; tur
• Subjects: Analysis; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Diabetic neuropathies; Diagnosis; Electric waves; Electromagnetic radiation; Electromagnetic waves; Health aspects; Lasers in surgery; Neurologic manifestations of general diseases; Original; Patient outcomes; Type 2 diabetes
• ISSN: 2587-1250; 1302-0234; 2587-0823; 2587-0823
• DOI: 10.5606/tftrd.2024.13419

The study aimed to compare the effects of separate and simultaneous application of Tecar therapy and low-level laser therapy on neurological symptoms of type 2 diabetic patients. In this randomized control trial conducted between November 2021 and February 2022, 45 patients (30 females, 15 males; mean age: 65.7±7.6 years; range, 51 to 76 years) with type 2 diabetes and peripheral sensory neuropathy of the lower limbs were randomly divided into three groups: Tecar + sham laser (n=15), Tecar + laser (n=15), and laser + sham Tecar (n=15). Outcome measures for both right and left limbs included tibial motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sural nerve amplitude, sole sensation, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) measured before and after 10 sessions and after a three-month follow-up. In intergroup comparison, the Tecar + laser group significantly improved compared to the laser + sham Tecar group in terms of tibial MNCV in both limbs after 10 sessions and all measured outcomes after three months (p