Exercise-induced modulation of pain in adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Very little research has been conducted examining the impact of exercise on pain modulation in diabetic adults with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine exercise-induced pain modulation in diabetic adults with PDPN in comparison to diabetic adults without PDPN. Eighteen adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes with and without PDPN (mean age of 49 yrs, sd = 11) completed two sessions. During the familiarization session, participants completed a packet of questionnaires, were familiarized with the pain testing protocols, completed maximal isometric contractions, and were given a pedometer to wear for five days. During the exercise session, experimental pain testing was completed before and following exercise consisting of three minutes of isometric exercise performed at 25% MVC. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and muscle pain were assessed every 30 seconds during exercise. The data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVAs, Mann-Whitney U Test, and independent samples t-tests. The results indicated that RPE and muscle pain ratings during exercise were significantly higher for diabetic adults with PDPN compared to diabetic adults without PDPN (p < 0.05). In addition, diabetic adults with PDPN did not experience changes in thermal pain ratings following exercise while diabetic adults without PDPN reported significantly lower (p < 0.05) pain ratings following exercise. It is concluded that diabetic adults with PDPN experienced high levels of muscle pain during exercise and a lack of exercise-induced hypoalgesia following exercise in comparison to diabetic adults without PDPN who experienced lower levels of muscle pain during exercise and a hypoalgesic response following exercise. Very little research has been conducted examining the impact of exercise on pain modulation in diabetic adults with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine exercise-induced pain modulation in diabetic adults with PDPN in comparison to diabetic adults without PDPN. Eighteen adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes with and without PDPN (mean age of 49 yrs, sd = 11) completed two sessions. During the familiarization session, participants completed a packet of questionnaires, were familiarized with the pain testing protocols, completed maximal isometric contractions, and were given a pedometer to wear for five days. During the exercise session, experimental pain testing was completed before and following exercise consisting of three minutes of isometric exercise performed at 25% MVC. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and muscle pain were assessed every 30 seconds during exercise. The data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVAs, Mann-Whitney U Test, and independent samples t-tests. The results indicated that RPE and muscle pain ratings during exercise were significantly higher for diabetic adults with PDPN compared to diabetic adults without PDPN (p < 0.05). In addition, diabetic adults with PDPN did not experience changes in thermal pain ratings following exercise while diabetic adults without PDPN reported significantly lower (p < 0.05) pain ratings following exercise. It is concluded that diabetic adults with PDPN experienced high levels of muscle pain during exercise and a lack of exercise-induced hypoalgesia following exercise in comparison to diabetic adults without PDPN who experienced lower levels of muscle pain during exercise and a hypoalgesic response following exercise.