Background & objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus results in vascular dysfunction and reduction of nitric oxide (NO) level. In this study the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) on NO level, an effective factor in increasing blood flow, and on ankle brachial index (ABI) as a n index of lower extremity blood flow in type 2 diabetic patients, have been investigated.

  Methods: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in Imam Khomeini hospital of Ardabil and Mehr physiotherapy center in 2013. Thirty diabetic patients after initial pilot study participated in this experiment based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, they were randomly assigned into two equal groups, electromagnetic therapy and control. The baseline levels of ABI and NO of both groups were measured. Patients in electromagnetic group were exposed to 10 Hz EMF radiation (with intensity of 8 mT) together with scanning lower limbs (three sessions per week, and 40 minutes per session for 8 weeks). The control group did not receive any treatment. After eight weeks, the amount of ABI and NO level were recorded. For statistical analysis paired t-test and independent t-test were used in SPSS 19 software.

  Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences between pre (1.009±0.02) and post (1.052±0.02) measurement of ABI of diabetic patient after applying magnetic field ( P = 0.013). However, there was no significant difference between p and after measurement of ABI and NO level in controlgroup and also NO level in magnet groups ( P> 0.05). Difference between pre and post therapy of ABI in electromagnetic group (0.05±0.01) showed significant increase compared with control group (0.004±0.003) ( P = 0.001).

  Conclusion: Increase in ABI after 8 weeks electromagnetic therapy could be considered as an accretion index in blood flow in lower extremity.