A program of 3 physical therapy modalities improves peripheral arterial disease in diabetes type 2 patients: a randomized controlled trial

Efficacy of comprehensive structured exercise program on claudication pain and quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral arterial disease

Background

Peripheral arterial disease is one of the leading complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary symptom of peripheral arterial disease is claudication pain. Exercise is known to improve the claudication pain, thereby improving the quality of life.

Methods

A total of 74 participants were recruited in each group and a detailed demographic assessment was done for all the participants. The study group received a comprehensive structured exercise program and standard care whereas the control group received only the standard care. Progression of the exercise was made at the 6th week of the protocol. All the outcome measures were reassessed after the 12th weeks for both study and control group.

Results

The mean age of participants was 60.78 ± 11.29 (years) and 59.98 ± 11.42 (years) for the study and control group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in toe brachial index (p < 0.001), ankle brachial index (p < 0.001), 6-minute walk distance (p < 0.001), WHO-BREF quality of life questionnaire (p < 0.001), and walking ability ((p < 0.001) in the study group in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion

In the present study we found that comprehensive structured exercise program improves the arterial indices, quality of life, walking ability and reduces claudication pain in type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral arterial disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01426-2.

Correlation between the range of motion of the tibiotarsal joint and blood circulation in the lower limbs in diabetic individuals

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the range of motion and lower-limb hemodynamic indices in the tibiotarsal joint of individuals with diabetic neuropathy.

METHODS

Twenty volunteers of both sexes, with a mean age of 61.45±7.05 years, were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Arterial blood flow was assessed using Doppler ultrasound, and the variables such as average velocity, pulsatility index, and resistivity index were also evaluated. A range of dorsiflexion and plantar flexion joint movements were assessed using digital goniometry before and after exercise. Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by Pearson's correlation for normal data and Spearman's correlation for non-normal data, in order to verify the association between variables.

RESULTS

A moderate correlation was found between dorsiflexion and pulse rate on two occasions before (rs=0.497) and after initial evaluation (rs=0.511). A low correlation was found between plantar flexion and mean velocity (rs=-0.357), pulsatility index (rs=0.439), and resistivity index (rs=0.328); dorsiflexion and mean velocity (rs=0.374), pulse rate (rs=0.332), and resistance index (rs=0.327) before evaluation, and peak (rs=0.346) was observed after the evaluation of blood circulation.

CONCLUSION

There is a correlation between the range of motion of the tibiotarsal joint and the blood circulation of diabetics, ranging from moderate to poor for the different variables evaluated.

Effects of Preconditioning Local Vibrations on Subsequent Plantar Skin Blood Flow Response to Walking

Weight-bearing exercise such as walking may increase risk of foot ulcers in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) because of plantar ischemia due to repetitive, high plantar pressure. Applications of local vibrations on plantar tissues as a preconditioning intervention before walking may reduce plantar tissue ischemia during walking. The objective of this study was to explore whether preconditioning local vibrations reduce reactive hyperemia after walking. A double-blind, repeated-measures, and crossover design was tested in 10 healthy participants without DM. The protocol included 10-minute baseline, 10-minute local vibrations (100 Hz or sham), 10-minute walking, and 10-minute recovery periods. The order of local vibrations was randomly assigned. Skin blood flow (SBF) was measured over the first metatarsal head during baseline and recovery periods. SBF responses were characterized as peak SBF, total SBF, and recovery time of reactive hyperemia. SBF was expressed as a ratio of recovery to baseline SBF to quantify the changes. Peak SBF in the vibration protocol (6.98 ± 0.87) was significantly lower than the sham control (9.26 ± 1.34, P < .01). Total SBF in the vibration protocol ([33.32 ± 7.98] × 103) was significantly lower than the sham control ([48.09 ± 8.9] × 103, P < .05). The recovery time in the vibration protocol (166.08 ± 32.71 seconds) was not significantly different from the sham control (223.53 ± 38.85 seconds, P = .1). Local vibrations at 100 Hz could reduce walking-induced hyperemic response on the first metatarsal head. Our finding indicates that preconditioning local vibrations could be a potential preventive intervention for people at risk for foot ulcers.

Effect of Supervised Exercise Program on Individuals in Peripheral Arterial Disease with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is usually accompanied by various micro and macro vascular complications. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is one of the major complications of diabetes which is accountable for morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The first line of treatment in these individuals is life style modification and exercise. There is a dearth of literature on effect of supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM on quality of life, walking impairment, change in Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) values. So, we conducted a systematic review to explore the available literature on supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane) to summarise the evidence on a supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM. Randomised and nonrandomised studies were included in the review.

RESULTS

Three studies met the inclusion criteria. The outcomes taken into accounts by the studies were the quality of life, walking impairment questionnaire, Ankle brachial index. Neither of the studies matched in their supervised exercise program nor in their outcome.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the data evaluating the supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM is inadequate to determine its effect on this population. Future large-scale studies can be conducted on both subjective and objective outcomes of PAD with T2DM to have a better understanding of the condition and for a universally acceptable exercise program for these individuals which the healthcare practitioners can use in their practice. Prospero registration number: CRD42018112465.

Effect of Exercise on Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objectives of this study were to examine the effectiveness of different types of exercise on risk factors of diabetic foot ulcers, including glycated hemoglobin, peripheral arterial disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched from inception to January 2018 for relevant articles. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials that examined effects of exercise on the selected risk factors. Twenty randomized controlled trials with 1357 participants were included in the meta-analyses. The differences in postintervention values of glycated hemoglobin and ankle brachial index between exercise and control groups were synthesized, yielding mean differences of -0.45% (P < 0.00001) and 0.03 (P = 0.002), respectively; the differences in within-group changes in glycated hemoglobin were synthesized, yielding mean differences of -0.19% (P = 0.1), -0.25% (P = 0.0006), and -0.64% (P = 0.006) for aerobic versus resistance, combined versus aerobic, and combined versus resistance exercise, respectively. Exercise has a significant effect on reducing glycated hemoglobin, whereas combined exercise is more effective compared with aerobic or resistance exercise alone. Exercise also improves ankle brachial index. However, evidence regarding the association between exercise and peripheral neuropathy and risks of diabetic foot ulcers in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains insufficient.

Supervised exercise therapy versus home-based exercise therapy versus walking advice for intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND

Although supervised exercise therapy (SET) provides significant symptomatic benefit for patients with intermittent claudication (IC), it remains an underutilized tool. Widespread implementation of SET is restricted by lack of facilities and funding. Structured home-based exercise therapy (HBET) with an observation component (e.g., exercise logbooks, pedometers) and just walking advice (WA) are alternatives to SET. This is the second update of a review first published in 2006.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to provide an accurate overview of studies evaluating effects of SET programs, HBET programs, and WA on maximal treadmill walking distance or time (MWD/T) for patients with IC. Secondary objectives were to evaluate effects of SET, HBET, and WA on pain-free treadmill walking distance or time (PFWD/T), quality of life, and self-reported functional impairment.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register (December 16, 2016) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2016, Issue 11). We searched the reference lists of relevant studies identified through searches for other potential trials. We applied no restriction on language of publication.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included parallel-group randomized controlled trials comparing SET programs with HBET programs and WA in participants with IC. We excluded studies in which control groups did not receive exercise or walking advice (maintained normal physical activity). We also excluded studies comparing exercise with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, bypass surgery, or drug therapy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three review authors (DH, HF, and LG) independently selected trials, extracted data, and assessed trials for risk of bias. Two other review authors (MvdH and JT) confirmed the suitability and methodological quality of trials. For all continuous outcomes, we extracted the number of participants, mean outcome, and standard deviation for each treatment group through the follow-up period, if available. We extracted Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 outcomes to assess quality of life, and Walking Impairment Questionnaire outcomes to assess self-reported functional impairment. As investigators used different scales to present results of walking distance and time, we standardized reported data to effect sizes to enable calculation of an overall standardized mean difference (SMD). We obtained summary estimates for all outcome measures using a random-effects model. We assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

For this update, we included seven additional studies, making a total of 21 included studies, which involved a total of 1400 participants: 635 received SET, 320 received HBET, and 445 received WA. In general, SET and HBET programs consisted of three exercise sessions per week. Follow-up ranged from six weeks to two years. Most trials used a treadmill walking test to investigate effects of exercise therapy on walking capacity. However, two trials assessed only quality of life, functional impairment, and/or walking behavior (i.e., daily steps measured by pedometer). The overall methodological quality of included trials was moderate to good. However, some trials were small with respect to numbers of participants, ranging from 20 to 304.SET groups showed clear improvement in MWD/T compared with HBET and WA groups, with overall SMDs at three months of 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12 to 0.62; P = 0.004; moderate-quality evidence) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.53 to 1.07; P < 0.00001; high-quality evidence), respectively. This translates to differences in increased MWD of approximately 120 and 210 meters in favor of SET groups. Data show improvements for up to six and 12 months, respectively. The HBET group did not show improvement in MWD/T compared with the WA group (SMD 0.30, 95% CI -0.45 to 1.05; P = 0.43; moderate-quality evidence).Compared with HBET, SET was more beneficial for PFWD/T but had no effect on quality of life parameters nor on self-reported functional impairment. Compared with WA, SET was more beneficial for PFWD/T and self-reported functional impairment, as well as for some quality of life parameters (e.g., physical functioning, pain, and physical component summary after 12 months), and HBET had no effect.Data show no obvious effects on mortality rates. Thirteen of the 1400 participants died, but no deaths were related to exercise therapy. Overall, adherence to SET was approximately 80%, which was similar to that reported with HBET. Only limited adherence data were available for WA groups.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence of moderate and high quality shows that SET provides an important benefit for treadmill-measured walking distance (MWD and PFWD) compared with HBET and WA, respectively. Although its clinical relevance has not been definitively demonstrated, this benefit translates to increased MWD of 120 and 210 meters after three months in SET groups. These increased walking distances are likely to have a positive impact on the lives of patients with IC. Data provide no clear evidence of a difference between HBET and WA. Trials show no clear differences in quality of life parameters nor in self-reported functional impairment between SET and HBET. However, evidence is of low and very low quality, respectively. Investigators detected some improvements in quality of life favoring SET over WA, but analyses were limited by small numbers of studies and participants. Future studies should focus on disease-specific quality of life and other functional outcomes, such as walking behavior and physical activity, as well as on long-term follow-up.

Exercise for intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND

Exercise programmes are a relatively inexpensive, low-risk option compared with other, more invasive therapies for treatment of leg pain on walking (intermittent claudication (IC)). This is the fourth update of a review first published in 1998.

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to determine whether an exercise programme was effective in alleviating symptoms and increasing walking treadmill distances and walking times in people with intermittent claudication. Secondary objectives were to determine whether exercise was effective in preventing deterioration of underlying disease, reducing cardiovascular events, and improving quality of life.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update, the Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Specialised Register (last searched 15 November 2016) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 10) via the Cochrane Register of Studies Online, along with trials registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of an exercise regimen versus control or versus medical therapy for people with IC due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We included any exercise programme or regimen used for treatment of IC, such as walking, skipping, and running. Inclusion of trials was not affected by duration, frequency, or intensity of the exercise programme. Outcome measures collected included treadmill walking distance (time to onset of pain or pain-free walking distance and maximum walking time or maximum walking distance), ankle brachial index (ABI), quality of life, morbidity, or amputation; if none of these was reported, we did not include the trial in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

For this update (2017), RAL and AH selected trials and extracted data independently. We assessed study quality by using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. We analysed continuous data by determining mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and dichotomous data by determining risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs. We pooled data using a fixed-effect model unless we identified significant heterogeneity, in which case we used a random-effects model. We used the GRADE approach to assess the overall quality of evidence supporting the outcomes assessed in this review.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two new studies in this update and identified additional publications for previously included studies, bringing the total number of studies meeting the inclusion criteria to 32, and involving a total of 1835 participants with stable leg pain. The follow-up period ranged from two weeks to two years. Types of exercise varied from strength training to polestriding and upper or lower limb exercises; supervised sessions were generally held at least twice a week. Most trials used a treadmill walking test for one of the primary outcome measures. The methodological quality of included trials was moderate, mainly owing to absence of relevant information. Most trials were small and included 20 to 49 participants. Twenty-seven trials compared exercise versus usual care or placebo, and the five remaining trials compared exercise versus medication (pentoxifylline, iloprost, antiplatelet agents, and vitamin E) or pneumatic calf compression; we generally excluded people with various medical conditions or other pre-existing limitations to their exercise capacity.Meta-analysis from nine studies with 391 participants showed overall improvement in pain-free walking distance in the exercise group compared with the no exercise group (MD 82.11 m, 95% CI 71.73 to 92.48, P < 0.00001, high-quality evidence). Data also showed benefit from exercise in improved maximum walking distance (MD 120.36 m, 95% CI 50.79 to 189.92, P < 0.0007, high-quality evidence), as revealed by pooling data from 10 studies with 500 participants. Improvements were seen for up to two years.Exercise did not improve the ABI (MD 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.08, 13 trials, 570 participants, moderate-quality evidence). Limited data were available for the outcomes of mortality and amputation; trials provided no evidence of an effect of exercise, when compared with placebo or usual care, on mortality (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.17, 5 trials, 540 participants, moderate-quality evidence) or amputation (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.15, 1 trial, 177 participants, low-quality evidence).Researchers measured quality of life using Short Form (SF)-36 at three and six months. At three months, the domains 'physical function', 'vitality', and 'role physical' improved with exercise; however this was a limited finding, as it was reported by only two trials. At six months, meta-analysis showed improvement in 'physical summary score' (MD 2.15, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.04, P = 0.02, 5 trials, 429 participants, moderate-quality evidence) and in 'mental summary score' (MD 3.76, 95% CI 2.70 to 4.82, P < 0.01, 4 trials, 343 participants, moderate-quality evidence) secondary to exercise. Two trials reported the remaining domains of the SF-36. Data showed improvements secondary to exercise in 'physical function' and 'general health'. The other domains - 'role physical', 'bodily pain', 'vitality', 'social', 'role emotional', and 'mental health' - did not show improvement at six months.Evidence was generally limited in trials comparing exercise versus antiplatelet therapy, pentoxifylline, iloprost, vitamin E, and pneumatic foot and calf compression owing to small numbers of trials and participants.Review authors used GRADE to assess the evidence presented in this review and determined that quality was moderate to high. Although results showed significant heterogeneity between trials, populations and outcomes were comparable overall, with findings relevant to the claudicant population. Results were pooled for large sample sizes - over 300 participants for most outcomes - using reproducible methods.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

High-quality evidence shows that exercise programmes provided important benefit compared with placebo or usual care in improving both pain-free and maximum walking distance in people with leg pain from IC who were considered to be fit for exercise intervention. Exercise did not improve ABI, and we found no evidence of an effect of exercise on amputation or mortality. Exercise may improve quality of life when compared with placebo or usual care. As time has progressed, the trials undertaken have begun to include exercise versus exercise or other modalities; therefore we can include fewer of the new trials in this update.

Peripheral Mechanisms of Ischemic Myalgia

Musculoskeletal pain due to ischemia is present in a variety of clinical conditions including peripheral vascular disease (PVD), sickle cell disease (SCD), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and even fibromyalgia (FM). The clinical features associated with deep tissue ischemia are unique because although the subjective description of pain is common to other forms of myalgia, patients with ischemic muscle pain often respond poorly to conventional analgesic therapies. Moreover, these patients also display increased cardiovascular responses to muscle contraction, which often leads to exercise intolerance or exacerbation of underlying cardiovascular conditions. This suggests that the mechanisms of myalgia development and the role of altered cardiovascular function under conditions of ischemia may be distinct compared to other injuries/diseases of the muscles. It is widely accepted that group III and IV muscle afferents play an important role in the development of pain due to ischemia. These same muscle afferents also form the sensory component of the exercise pressor reflex (EPR), which is the increase in heart rate and blood pressure (BP) experienced after muscle contraction. Studies suggest that afferent sensitization after ischemia depends on interactions between purinergic (P2X and P2Y) receptors, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, and acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) in individual populations of peripheral sensory neurons. Specific alterations in primary afferent function through these receptor mechanisms correlate with increased pain related behaviors and altered EPRs. Recent evidence suggests that factors within the muscles during ischemic conditions including upregulation of growth factors and cytokines, and microvascular changes may be linked to the overexpression of these different receptor molecules in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) that in turn modulate pain and sympathetic reflexes. In this review article, we will discuss the peripheral mechanisms involved in the development of ischemic myalgia and the role that primary sensory neurons play in EPR modulation.

Immediate effects of electrical stimulation, diathermy, and physical exercise on lower limb arterial blood flow in diabetic women with peripheral arterial disease: a randomized crossover trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of high-voltage electrical stimulation (HVES), continuous short wave diathermy, and physical exercise on arterial blood flow in the lower limbs of diabetic women with peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS

A crossover study was carried out involving 15 diabetic women (mean age of 77.87 ± 6.20 years) with a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. One session of each therapeutic resource was held, with a 7-day washout period between protocols. Blood flow velocity was evaluated before each session and 0, 20, 40 and 60 minutes after the administration of each protocol. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc test was used for the intragroup and intergroup comparisons.

RESULTS

In the intragroup analysis, a significant reduction (P < .05) was found in blood flow velocity in the femoral and popliteal arteries over time with HVES and physical exercise and in the posterior tibial artery with the physical exercise protocol. However, no significant differences were found in the intergroup analysis (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Proximal blood circulation in the lower limb of diabetic women with peripheral arterial disease was increased by a single session of HVES and physical exercise, whereas distal circulation was only increased with physical exercise.

Exercise for intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND

Exercise programmes are a relatively inexpensive, low-risk option compared with other more invasive therapies for leg pain on walking (intermittent claudication (IC)). This is an update of a review first published in 1998.

OBJECTIVES

The prime objective of this review was to determine whether an exercise programme in people with intermittent claudication was effective in alleviating symptoms and increasing walking treadmill distances and walking times. Secondary objectives were to determine whether exercise was effective in preventing deterioration of underlying disease, reducing cardiovascular events and improving quality of life.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched September 2013) and CENTRAL (2013, Issue 8).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of an exercise regimen versus control or versus medical therapy in people with IC due to peripheral arterial disease. Any exercise programme or regimen used in the treatment of intermittent claudication was included, such as walking, skipping and running. Inclusion of trials was not affected by the duration, frequency or intensity of the exercise programme. Outcome measures collected included treadmill walking distance (time to onset of pain or pain-free walking distance and maximum walking time or maximal walking distance), ankle brachial index (ABI), quality of life, morbidity or amputation; if none of these were reported the trial was not included in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven additional studies were included in this update making a total of 30 trials which met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 1816 participants with stable leg pain. The follow-up period ranged from two weeks to two years. The types of exercise varied from strength training to polestriding and upper or lower limb exercises; generally supervised sessions were at least twice a week. Most trials used a treadmill walking test for one of the outcome measures. Quality of the included trials was moderate, mainly due to an absence of relevant information. The majority of trials were small with 20 to 49 participants. Twenty trials compared exercise with usual care or placebo, the remainder of the trials compared exercise to medication (pentoxifylline, iloprost, antiplatelet agents and vitamin E) or pneumatic calf compression; people with various medical conditions or other pre-existing limitations to their exercise capacity were generally excluded.Overall, when taking the first time point reported in each of the studies, exercise significantly improved maximal walking time when compared with usual care or placebo: mean difference (MD) 4.51 minutes (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.11 to 5.92) with an overall improvement in walking ability of approximately 50% to 200%. Walking distances were also significantly improved: pain-free walking distance MD 82.29 metres (95% CI 71.86 to 92.72) and maximum walking distance MD 108.99 metres (95% CI 38.20 to 179.78). Improvements were seen for up to two years, and subgroup analyses were performed at three, six and 12 months where possible. Exercise did not improve the ABI (MD 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.09). The effect of exercise, when compared with placebo or usual care, was inconclusive on mortality, amputation and peak exercise calf blood flow due to limited data. No data were given on non-fatal cardiovascular events.Quality of life measured using the Short Form (SF)-36 was reported at three and six months. At three months, physical function, vitality and role physical all significantly improved with exercise, however this was a limited finding as this measure was only reported in two trials. At six months five trials reported outcomes of a significantly improved physical summary score and mental summary score secondary to exercise. Only two trials reported improvements in other domains, physical function and general health.Evidence was generally limited for exercise compared with antiplatelet therapy, pentoxifylline, iloprost, vitamin E and pneumatic foot and calf compression due to small numbers of trials and participants.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Exercise programmes are of significant benefit compared with placebo or usual care in improving walking time and distance in people with leg pain from IC who were considered to be fit for exercise intervention.

Decrease in Talocrural Joint Mobility is Related to Alteration of the Arterial Blood Flow Velocity in the Lower Limb in Diabetic Women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to correlate the talocrural range of motion (ROM) and blood flow velocity in the lower limb arteries of diabetic women. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty women were divided into a control group (G1), consisting of 15 sedentary right-handed subjects (41.27 ± 7.24 years old) who had no history of blood system disorder, and a diabetes group (G2), consisting of 15 sedentary right-handed subjects (57.87 ± 6.20 years old) who had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Talocrural ROM was measured by using goniometry for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion movements. In addition, blood flow velocity of the dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, and popliteal arteries was also assessed. [Results] No significant differences were found between the groups by comparing talocrural ROM and arterial blood velocity. However, a significant association was found in G2 only between the following variables: plantar flexion and blood flow velocity of the dorsalis pedis artery (rs = 0.57), plantar flexion and blood flow velocity of the popliteal artery (rs = 0.50), and dorsiflexion and blood flow velocity of the posterior tibial artery (rs = 0.57). [Conclusion] The decrease in talocrural ROM is related to a decrease in the arterial blood flow velocity in diabetic women.