Immediate Effects of Step Up into Coconut Shell on Hemodynamics in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus can cause numbness at the hand and feet, which is leading to feet ulcers and risk of lower-limb amputations. Coconut shell can reduce numbness and increase blood flow to the feet. The objective of this study is to assess immediate effects of step up into coconut shell and standard step on cardiovascular system in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The participants (n=60) with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into two groups, coconut shell step group (n=30) and standard step group (n=30). All subjects were assessed by 3-minute step test for the effect on the cardiovascular system. The sensation of feet, measured by using monofilaments, was assessed before and after the 3-minute step test. The results show that after the test standard step group had statistical significant increasing of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rates, respiratory rate and sensation of feet (p<0.05). A coconut shell group had significantly increased in the oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rates, respiration rate and sensation of feet after the test (p<0.05). In addition, there was statistically significant difference in the assessed oxygen saturation after the test between groups (p<0.05) that the coconut shell step had higher oxygen saturation than the standard step. In conclusion, the group of coconut shell step had increases oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rates, respiration rate and sensation of feet. Therefore, coconut shell step can be applied for exercise of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.