Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Surgical Nursing

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by increased glucose level in the blood, resulting from defect in the insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. In advanced stage of disease; peripheral circulation of lower extremities is impaired which increases the risk for developing peripheral arterial diseases (PAD). Buerger{u2019}s exercise is a simple intervention for improving the peripheral circulation of patients with diabetes mellitus.The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of Buerger{u2019}s exercise on the peripheral circulation among patients with type 2 DM as assessed by peripheral pulses{u2019} intensity, capillary refill and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) scale. Interrupted time series quasi experimental design was used. A nonprobability purposive sample consists of sixty male and female adult patients with type 2 DM were selected. The study main findings revealed that the post intervention mean scores of the peripheral pulses, capillary refill and ABI were significantly differ than the pre-intervention scores in both legs as it shifts towards normal, the pre intervention scores were (Rt leg = 1.28, 1.26, 4.12 & .88 Lt leg = 1.18, 1.20, 4.00 & .93) respectively, while the post intervention scores were (Rt leg = 1.73, 1.74, 2.20 & 1.09. Lt leg = 1.77, 1. 72, 2.13 & 1.08) (p=0.001).The use of Buerger{u2019}s exercise is effective in improving the perfusion of lower extremities. Therefore, it is recommended that Buerger{u2019}s exercise can be used to improve the peripheral circulation of lower extremities among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

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