Efficacy of the Moderate Intensity Aerobic training on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Patients with the Type-2 Diabetic Neuropathy

Background: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common diabetes complication. Damage of the autonomic nerves distributed in the heart and blood vessels in patients with diabetes may result in CAN and increase their risk of death. Therefore, CAN prevention is of considerable important for these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of moderate aerobic exercise on heart rate variability (HRV) in type 2 diabetic neuropathy patients.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental clinical trial study, 23 men with diabetic neuropathy were randomly placed at two groups: aerobic training (n=11) and control (n=12). Aerobic training was accomplished for 12 weeks (3 sessions per week, intensity 50%-80% of the reserved heart rate, duration of each session 25-45 min). Heart rate variability of patients was recorded for 20 min at rest and in the supine position before and after 12 weeks of aerobic training.

Results: In aerobic training group, time domain parameters contains SDNN and rMSSD were significantly increased after exercise compared to pre test values. Also in frequency domain parameters, HF was significantly increased and LF/HF ratio was significantly decreased. But in LF parameter was not observed any significantly different. In the control group was not significantly change in time domain and frequency domain parameters. Analysis of inter -group differences showed that changes in all time domain and frequency-domain parameters values (except for the LF Power parameter) in the exercise groups were significantly different from those in the control group.

Conclusion: It seems that moderate intensity aerobic training improved the function of the cardiac autonomic system and hence, improved cardiac rhythm and eventually increased HRV in diabetic neuropathy patients.