Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise
Published on: July 14, 2023
Physical Therapy Reduced the Risk of Microvascular Complications in the Musculoskeletal Disorders Population With
Yuan-Liang Wen1, Ke-Ting Pan2, Chun-Cheng Liao3
1Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, College of Biomedical Sciences, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Objective:
To investigate whether active physical therapy (PT) reduces the risk of microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs).
Design:
Retrospective population-based cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance claims data with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).
Setting:
A nationwide population-based setting.
Participants:
A total of 8857 adults diagnosed with T2DM and MSKDs between 2000 and 2021 (N=8857). Participants were grouped into 1111 receiving active PT and 7746 receiving passive PT based on receiving ≥50% of the respective modality type in their PT claims.
Interventions:
Active PT included structured exercise-based modalities (eg, strengthening, aerobic, and balance training). Passive PT involved modalities requiring minimal patient effort (eg, thermotherapy and ultrasound).
Main Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome was the incidence of diabetes-related microvascular complications (peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy).
Results:
After inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment, active PT was associated with a reduced risk of microvascular complications (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.871; 95% CI, 0.794-0.954), particularly for peripheral neuropathy (adjusted HR, 0.828; 95% CI, 0.724-0.947). The per-protocol population of active PT conferred the greatest benefit (adjusted HR, 0.659; 95% CI, 0.518-0.837). No significant differences were observed for retinopathy or nephropathy. Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects in women and those with hypertension or hyperlipidemia.
Conclusions:
In patients with T2DM and MSKDs, active PT was associated with a lower risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Structured exercise-based PT may offer preventive benefits beyond musculoskeletal care and should be considered in diabetes management strategies.
More Related Videos
07:22Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes
Published on: March 7, 2025
03:17Author Spotlight: Advancing Diabetes Research with Static Exercise Training in Mice
Published on: March 29, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care