In addition, we wished to
avoid the confounding effect possibly resulting from
complications common to diabetes (i.e., neuropathy,
autonomic dysfunction) that can interfere with the
ability to benefit from a training program. Patients
who had undergone a vascular surgical procedure or
angioplasty within the previous year were also
excluded from the study. Patients taking chronic
medications were continued on their drugs, with the
dosage unchanged during the study.' Of the 29
patients who participated in the trial, one in the
treadmill and strength-trained groups each was on a
b-blocker, and two in the control group were on a
b-blocker. Three patients in each group were taking
pentoxifylline.