Impact of local heat therapy on glycemic control and frailty in older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes
Official title: Glycemic control and frailty risk in older people at risk for type 2 diabetes: Impact of local heat therapy
Funded at Texas Tech University · NIH-10770256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using local heat therapy can help older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes feel stronger and healthier, especially by improving their muscle health and blood sugar control, and it may include some fun, quick exercise sessions too!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $736,832 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG084597-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10770256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with prediabetes who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for type 2 diabetes or those who do not meet the age criteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how local heat therapy can improve glycemic control and reduce frailty in older adults who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The study focuses on understanding the relationship between muscle health, insulin responsiveness, and frailty, particularly in individuals with prediabetes. Participants may engage in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as part of the intervention, which is designed to be time-efficient and beneficial for muscle function. The goal is to enhance muscle mass and function, thereby decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and associated frailty.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life for older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes by reducing frailty and enhancing muscle function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions like high-intensity interval training can effectively improve muscle function in older adults, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luk, Hui Ying — Texas Tech University
- Study coordinator: Luk, Hui Ying
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Glycemic control and frailty risk in older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes: how local heat therapy may help
Aging adults at risk for type 2 diabetes may benefit from a local heat therapy approach to improve blood sugar control and reduce frailty risk.
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Local heat therapy to improve blood sugar control and reduce frailty risk in older adults with prediabetes
This project tests whether applying local heat to muscles can help older adults with prediabetes improve blood sugar control and reduce muscle weakness linked to frailty.
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Weight Loss, Bone Health, and Fracture Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
This project explores why people with type 2 diabetes who lose weight through an intensive program might have a higher chance of bone fractures.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
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Michigan Diabetes Project: A Peer-Led Self-Management Program for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
A peer-led self-management program for adults with type 2 diabetes is being tested to see if it improves blood sugar control and daily diabetes care.
-
Alzheimer’s and dementia risk in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
This grant aims to understand why some older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes develop memory problems or dementia.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.