The effect of Tecar therapy on neurological disorders and nerve conduction velocity of lower limbs in peripheral neuropathy of type 2 diabetic patients: A six-week follow-up study

Background / Purpose

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of type 2 diabetes, leading to pain, sensory loss, and impaired nerve conduction due to chronic hyperglycemia and demyelination. Traditional physiotherapy modalities such as laser, infrared (IR), and low-frequency electromagnetic fields have shown mixed results. This study aimed to determine whether Tecar therapy (capacitive mode, 448 kHz) could improve neuropathy symptoms and tibial nerve conduction velocity (TNCV) in diabetic patients, when used alongside infrared light therapy.

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Methods

A single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial included 24 adults (mean age 60.4 years) with type 2 diabetes and clinically confirmed peripheral neuropathy (NCV < 40 m/s). Participants were randomized into:

• Tecar Group (n = 12): Received infrared light (870 nm, 1.3 J/cm²) followed by capacitive Tecar therapy (10–30% intensity) applied along the tibial nerve path (20 minutes per foot, 10 sessions).
• Control Group (n = 12): Received the same infrared treatment plus sham Tecar (intensity 0%).

Outcomes were measured at baseline, after 10 sessions, and at six-week follow-up, including:

• Neuropathy symptoms: Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI, total score 0–8).
• Tibial nerve conduction velocity (TNCV): Measured via electroneuromyography (Synergy T2 Plinth, UK).
  Statistical analysis used two-way mixed ANOVA and post hoc comparisons (p < 0.05).

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Results

Neuropathy Symptoms (MNSI):

• Significant improvement occurred in both groups after treatment, but changes were more pronounced in the Tecar group (p < 0.001).
• The MNSI score decreased from 12.9 ± 2.0 → 7.6 ± 1.5 after 10 sessions and remained at 7.3 ± 1.3 after six weeks.
• The control group improved transiently (11.9 ± 1.1 → 9.3 ± 1.3) but regressed partially by six weeks.

Nerve Conduction Velocity (TNCV):

• Both groups improved after 10 sessions (p < 0.001), but only the Tecar group maintained gains at six weeks (p < 0.05).
• TNCV increased from 36.7 → 37.1 m/s, while the control group plateaued at 37.2 m/s.
• The data demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC > 0.9) for repeated nerve conduction measurements.

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Discussion

The findings show that Tecar therapy, when combined with infrared radiation, significantly improves neuropathy symptoms and nerve conduction in diabetic patients. The sustained benefit observed six weeks post-treatment suggests Tecar’s effects extend beyond superficial heating. The likely mechanisms include enhanced blood flow, vasodilation, and improved axonal conductivity through controlled deep-tissue hyperthermia and modulation of neural receptor activity.

Previous research using lower-frequency electromagnetic fields produced inconsistent outcomes, but this study demonstrates that high-frequency (0.3–1.2 MHz) Tecar currents can successfully stimulate the neurovascular system, accelerating nerve regeneration and metabolic recovery in damaged tissue. By improving both symptom scores and electrical conductivity, Tecar therapy shows potential as a non-invasive neuromodulatory treatment for diabetic neuropathy, particularly in patients with mild-to-moderate disease severity.

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Conclusion

Ten sessions of capacitive Tecar therapy (10–30% intensity, 448 kHz) combined with infrared treatment led to clinically significant and lasting improvements in neuropathy symptoms and tibial nerve conduction velocity among patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings indicate that Tecar therapy enhances metabolic activity, nerve excitability, and microvascular perfusion, contributing to faster functional recovery. The results support Tecar’s use as a safe, effective adjunct therapy for managing peripheral neuropathy and preventing progression of neurological complications in diabetic populations.