Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate Fiber Socks and Gloves on Peripheral Blood Flow in Patients with Diabetes

To evaluate changes in peripheral blood flow in patients with diabetes after wearing socks and gloves made with polyethylene terephthalate fibers.  The proposed mechanism of action involves a conversion between infrared light and heat that allows for vasodilation. 
We hypothesized that patients using the treatment garments wound have increased local perfusion compared to baseline and control garments.

Twenty male subjects with diabetes were enrolled in a double blind pilot study comparing polyethylene terephthalate fiber and sham standard fiber socks and gloves. Patients had to have a transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TCOM) of >30mmHg to be included. TCOM and laser doppler flowmetry (LD) were measured at baseline, then every 10 minutes for 1 hour.

Paired T-tests were performed to compare TCOM and LD at each time point for both hands and feet. Results were stratified into a semi-quantitative scale: increased with application of treatment garments, no change, and decreased with application of treatment garments. We defined “no change” as less than 4% difference between treatment and sham. Patients serves as their own controls.
TCOM in the hand and foot showed the same results: 10 subjects increased, 4 had no change, and 6 were decreased. There was a statistically significant change in TCOM at 40 and 50 minutes. LD was not significantly different in the hand or foot.

Improvement in skin oxygenation could improve marginal circulation enough to decrease ischemic pain or improve wound healing. In patients with severe small vessel disease or Raynaud’s, the fiber could increase local vasodilation.

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