Diabetes: Dreamstime
An East Dallas-based medical institution is looking for men and women with Type 2 diabetes to participate in a research study.
Millions have diabetes, a dangerous and costly disease. (Even superstars like Tom Hanks are not immune).
The Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, which is located near Presbyterian Hospital on Greenville (map), is conducting a study to understand the effects of body temperature and exercise on high blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetic men.
Researchers know that exercise and certain medicines can help to control blood glucose levels, says Eric Rivas, who is conducting the study. And they are exploring more methods that might help.
“There are obese diabetic-animal studies that suggest heat therapy, such as resting in warm water, lowers blood glucose levels. This however has not been tested in humans. We want to know if heat stress while resting and/or exercising will lower blood sugar levels, as well as understand the mechanisms responsible for these improved changes,” Rivas says. “We think that the combination of heat stress and low intensity exercise will provide a synergistic effect and provide the greatest response.”
The ideal candidate is 18-65 years old, male and cannot be on insulin therapy.
“Our laboratory is one of a few labs all over the world that studies heat stress in humans,” Rivas says. “Trained research nurses and medical doctors are onsite throughout the study to ensure the participant’s safety,” he adds. The Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine is associated with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Compensations for participants is $25 per hour.
If you (or someone you know) are eligible and would like to participate contact Rivas at 361.392.3031 or email IEEMThermoregulation@texashealth.org.
Related note: Next month is American Diabetes Month, part of an awareness-raising effort. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 26 million Americans have diabetes at a cost of more than $245 billion to our economy. Read more on that here.
