Acute effect of photobiomodulation using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on baroreflex sensitivity during and after constant loading exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

To evaluate the photobiomodulation (PBM) effect on the cardiovascular autonomic control, analyzed by baroreflex sensitivity (sequence method), during constant load exercise and recovery in diabetic men, we evaluated 11 men with type 2 diabetes (DM2) (40–64 years). The constant workload exercise protocol (TECC) was performed on two different days, 14 days apart from each other, to guarantee PBM washout period. After PBM by light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation (150 J or 300 J or placebo), 10 min of rest (REST) was performed. After this period, the volunteer was positioned on a cycloergometer to start the test (1-min rest, 3-min free-load heating, 6-min constant workload–EXERCISE, 6-min free-load cool-down, 1-min rest) followed by a sitting period of 10 min (RECOVERY). The constant workload corresponded to 80%VO 2GET (gas exchange threshold) identified by a previous cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). PBM was applied in continuous mode, contact technique, bilaterally, on both femoral quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle groups. The electrocardiogram R-R intervals (BioAmp FE132) and the peripheral pulse pressure signals (Finometer PRO) were collected continuously throughout the protocol. Stable sequences of 256 points were chosen at REST, EXERCISE, and RECOVERY. The baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was computed in time domain according to the sequence method ( α seq ). The comparison between therapies (150 J/300 J/placebo) and condition (REST, EXERCISE, and RECOVERY) was performed using the ANOVA two-way repeated measures test. There was no interaction between therapy and conditions during the TECC. There was only the condition effect ( p < 0.001), showing that the behavior of α seq was similar regardless of the therapy. Photobiomodulation with 150 J or 300 J applied previously to a moderate-intensity TECC in DM2 was not able to promote cardiovascular autonomic control changes leading to an improvement in BRS.