Effect of Laser Acupuncture Versus Aerobic Exercises on Insulin Resistance in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background: According to the International Diabetes Federation, 20.9% of the Adults in Egypt were estimated to have Diabetes on 2021, the percentage is expected to rise to 23.4% by 2045. The increased number of patients is associated with a huge cost for the healthcare system and the country economy. The long-term effects of Diabetes may lead to loss of physical independence of the patients and lowered quality of life. The drug treatments are not always satisfactory in treating the hyperglycemia and avoiding the long-term com-plications, hence emerged the need of finding complementary and alternative approaches to with less or no side effects to tackle the problem and provide the best control over the blood glucose levels. Aim of Study: Was to investigate the effect of Laser Acupuncture verses Aerobic exercises on Insulin resistance in patients with type II Diabetes Mellitus and to compare between them. Subjects and Methods: Forty Type II diabetic patients with aged ranged between 40-50 were randomly divided into two groups as Group A (n=20) was treated by Laser acupunc-ture on the five Acupuncture points Zhongwan (CV-12), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao point (SP6), Feishu point and Shenshu point, for 8 weeks, 3 times per week. While Group B (n=20) was treated by Aerobic Exercises in form of waking on treadmill for 8 weeks - 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks in form of 40 minutes every other day Intensity: 65-75% of maximum heart rate. Results: In Group A the mean value of Fasting Blood Glucose improved significantly by 7.26 % (p<0.001) while the mean value of Fasting Plasma insulin did not show signif-icant change (p=0.100224), so HOMA IR improved signifi-cantly by 9.11% (p<0.001). In Group B the mean value of Fasting Blood Glucose improved significantly by 11.55% (p<0.001) while the mean value of Fasting Plasma insulin changed significantly by 7.53% (p<0.001) so the HOMA IR improved significantly by 23.67% (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Both laser acupuncture and aerobic exercises improve insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, however aerobic exercises showed better results with significant difference of the Fasting blood glucose levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance HOMA-IR and with no significant difference in fasting plasma insulin level.