Effects of non-load exercise with lying position combined with hyperbaric oxygen on diabetic foot ulcer

Objective To observe the effects of non-load exercise with lying position combined with hyperbaric oxygen(HBO) on diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods The patients with DFU were randomly divided into the routine treatment group, the exercise group, the HBO group and the comprehensive treatment group. Changes in local skin temperature, ankle brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were closely observed and therapeutic effects were evaluated before and after treatment. Results Following treatment, total efficacy for the comprehensive treatment group was 93.8%, which was superior to those of the exercise group (75.8%), the HBO group (78.8%) and the routine treatment group (45.5%)(P<0.05), and statistical significance could be noticed when comparisons were made between them(P<0.05). One month after treatment, significant improvement could be seen in local skin temperature, ABI, transcutaneous oxygen pressure and ulcer size for the exercise group, the HBO group and the comprehensive treatment group(P<0.05), with statistical significance(P<0.05). Following treatment, the above indexes of the comprehensive treatment group were significantly improved, as compared with those of the other 3 groups, also with statistical significance(P<0.05). The level of serum VEGF for the comprehensive treatment group was decreased after treatment as compared with that before treatment, and there was also statistical significance as compared with those of the other 3 groups(P<0.05). Conclusions Non-load exercise with lying position combined with HBO could produce significant effects on DFU. This treatment method was obviously superior to those of simple non-load exercise and HBO therapy, and VEGF could be used as an effective index for the evaluation of treatment of diabetic foot ulcer. Key words: Diabetic foot ulcer; Non-load exercise with lying position; Hyperbaric oxygen; Vascular endothelial growth factor