Effects of hydrotherapy with massage on serum nerve growth factor concentrations and balance in middle aged diabetic neuropathy patients

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice Vol. 39; no. NA; p. 101141
• Main Authors: Shourabi, Pouria, Bagheri, Reza, Ashtary-Larky, Damoon, Wong, Alexei, Motevalli, Mohamad S., Hedayati, Akram, Baker, Julien S., Rashidlamir, Amir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2020; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Aquatic exercise; Balance; Diabetes; Diabetic neuropathy; Growth factors; Hydrotherapy; Massage; Middle age; Nerve growth factor; Peripheral neuropathy; Serum; Water exercise; Aquatic exercise; Diabetic neuropathy; Nerve growth factor; Hydrotherapy; Massage; Balance
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101141

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. 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. 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. A combination of hydrotherapy and massage enhances NGF concentrations, balance and the glycemic profile compared to hydrotherapy or massage alone. •The combination of hydrotherapy and massage enhances serum nerve growth factor levels and balance ability.•The combination of hydrotherapy and massage declines insulin, hemoglobin A1C and fasting blood sugar.•Combining hydrotherapy and massage may be an effective strategy in the prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathy.