Trial Outcomes & Findings for Impact of Muscle and Tendon Dysfunction in People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (NCT NCT05585502)

NCT ID: NCT05585502

Last Updated: 2026-07-06

Results Overview

Achilles tendon stiffness (units: Nm/mm) was evaluated during isometric maximum voluntary contractions. In turn, stiffness was calculated based on the ratio between Torque values (units: Nm), which were recorded using a dynamometer (Cybex Norm), and tendon elongation values (units: mm), which were recorded using an ultrasound scanner (MycrusExt, Telemed).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

46 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Data were collected at baseline (pre-intervention)

Results posted on

2026-07-06

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Diabetic Patients
Twenty-eight T2D patients were recruited. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Control Group
Eighteen subjects were recruited as a control group. They were matched for age/sex, BMI and level of physical activity. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Overall Study
STARTED
28
18
Overall Study
COMPLETED
28
18
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Diabetic Patients
n=28 Participants
Twenty-eight T2D patients were recruited. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Control Group
n=18 Participants
Eighteen subjects were recruited as a control group. They were matched for age/sex, BMI and level of physical activity. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Total
n=46 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
62.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=28 Participants
63.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.3 • n=18 Participants
63.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.9 • n=46 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
9 Participants
n=28 Participants
10 Participants
n=18 Participants
19 Participants
n=46 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
19 Participants
n=28 Participants
8 Participants
n=18 Participants
27 Participants
n=46 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
0 Participants
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.
Region of Enrollment
Italy
28 participants
n=28 Participants
18 participants
n=18 Participants
46 participants
n=46 Participants
BMI (body mass index)
26.9 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5 • n=28 Participants
25.6 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.8 • n=18 Participants
26.2 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.6 • n=46 Participants
IPAQ (levels of physical activity)
1158 MET-min/week
STANDARD_DEVIATION 314 • n=28 Participants
1597 MET-min/week
STANDARD_DEVIATION 571 • n=18 Participants
1377 MET-min/week
STANDARD_DEVIATION 442 • n=46 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Data were collected at baseline (pre-intervention)

Achilles tendon stiffness (units: Nm/mm) was evaluated during isometric maximum voluntary contractions. In turn, stiffness was calculated based on the ratio between Torque values (units: Nm), which were recorded using a dynamometer (Cybex Norm), and tendon elongation values (units: mm), which were recorded using an ultrasound scanner (MycrusExt, Telemed).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Diabetic Patients
n=28 Participants
Twenty-eight T2D patients were recruited. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Control Group
n=18 Participants
Eighteen subjects were recruited as a control group. They were matched for age/sex, BMI and level of physical activity. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Tendon Stiffness Differences Between T2D Patients and Controls
8.28 Nm/mm
Standard Deviation 2.01
5.56 Nm/mm
Standard Deviation 1.62

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Data were collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention (10 weeks of training).

Achilles tendon stiffness (units: Nm/mm) were calculated as described in outcome 1 in diabetic patients. Changes in these variables were calculated between baseline and post training.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Diabetic Patients
n=17 Participants
Twenty-eight T2D patients were recruited. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Control Group
n=17 Participants
Eighteen subjects were recruited as a control group. They were matched for age/sex, BMI and level of physical activity. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Effect of Training on Tendon Stiffness (in Patients)
6.32 Nm/mm
Standard Deviation 3.49
4.20 Nm/mm
Standard Deviation 3.12

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Data were collected at baseline (pre-intervention)

Glycated hemoglobin was assessed in blood samples as a measure of long-term glycation.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Diabetic Patients
n=28 Participants
Twenty-eight T2D patients were recruited. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Control Group
n=18 Participants
Eighteen subjects were recruited as a control group. They were matched for age/sex, BMI and level of physical activity. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Tissue Glycation Indicators (Hb1Ac) in T2D Patients and Controls
6.9 % of total Hb
Standard Deviation 3.0
5.5 % of total Hb
Standard Deviation 2.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Data were collected at baseline (pre-intervention)

RAGE were assessed in skin biopsies as a measure of long-term glycation.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Diabetic Patients
n=28 Participants
Twenty-eight T2D patients were recruited. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Control Group
n=18 Participants
Eighteen subjects were recruited as a control group. They were matched for age/sex, BMI and level of physical activity. At baseline they participated to three different experimental sessions: during the first session a blood sample was withdrawn and a skin biopsy was taken; during the second session, muscle-tendon stiffness and muscle function were evaluated; during the third session, the energy cost of walking was determined at different speeds.
Tissue Glycation Indicators (RAGE) in T2D Patients and Controls
0.13 ng/mL
Standard Deviation 0.07
0.11 ng/mL
Standard Deviation 0.14

Adverse Events

Diabetic Patients

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Control Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Paola Zamparo

University of Verona, Italy

Phone: +39045

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place