New Possibilities for The Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Means of External Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Background and Objectives

Lately it was shown in a study that external electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) the sensitivity to insulin is being improved. By means of a functional EMS obviously the distribution of glucose-transport-protein GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 is being increased.
Aim of the study was to examine whether a 6 week “treatment” with EMS of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) will lead to the reduction of body weight, BMI and HbA₁c.

Methods

T2DM patients, who were only treated with a diet and/or oral anti diabetics were included in this 12 week study. After an introductory phase of 2 weeks the use of an EMS unit, the HiToP® (gbo Medizintechnik AG, Rimbach/Germany) was started in the patients’ discotheque. On average, the EMS persons used the unit daily during the following 6 weeks. Alternately, the electrodes were placed in the area of the musculature of thighs and the back. Each period was interrupted by a second break. After this 6 week period of treatment the units were given back. The course of the above mentioned parameters was documented further for the following 4 weeks without EMS.

Results

A total of 16 patients with T2DM (ages 58 ± 11; 69% male; BMI 34.5 kg/m²; HbA₁c 7.5 ± 1%) were examined. After a significant reduction in body weight (10.7 ± 5.5 kg; p<0.05) as well as a reduction in the HbA₁c (7.5 vs. 7.1%; p<0.05) was observed. The average weight reduction was 4.1 kg, BMI was reduced by 0.6 kg/m² and the HbA₁c by 0.4%.

Conclusions

In the framework of this study, for the first time a positive effect of EMS on clinically relevant endpoints of patients with T2DM could be demonstrated. Further controlled studies will show whether the use of EMS will represent a new possibility for the (additive) treatment of T2DM.