The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on serum glucose levels in children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus: a single group clinical trial

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on serum glucose level in children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes. METHODS: This before-after, single-group, clinical trial was conducted on 29 patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus with the age range of 7–18 years. The patients underwent NMES in two 20-minute phases on the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles, three sessions per week for a period of 8 weeks. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), measured in two ways, by glucometer and laboratory testing, was considered as the primary outcome and the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the total daily dose (TDD) of insulin were measured as the secondary outcomes. The laboratory FBS and HbA1c were measured 1 day before the intervention (as a baseline value) and then 2 and 6 weeks after the last session of intervention. FBS by glucometer and total daily dose of insulin were recorded daily from 2 weeks before the intervention to the last day of the intervention and consequently, the weekly average of these variables was calculated and used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The serum level of FBS (measured by glucometer) and the total daily dose of insulin reduced significantly 2 weeks after beginning of intervention. The laboratory serum level of FBS decreased significantly in the second week after the end of intervention compared to the baseline values. Although the HbA1c level decreased at follow-up period (2 and 6 weeks after the intervention), it was not significant. CONCLUSION: It seems that 8 weeks of NMES has beneficial effects on the reduction of FBS and TDD of insulin therefore, it could be suggested as the contributory treatment in management of children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at https://fa.irct.ir/user/trial/51739/view (IRCT20100523003998N1) in date of 25/10/2020.