A study to evaluate the effectiveness of buerger allen exercise on improving lower extremity perfusion among patients with type ii diabetes mellitus in selected Hospitals at Erode

Diabetes is often termed as a ‘lifestyle disease’ and becomes more prevalent as populations accumulate wealth. In general, inactivity and consumption of high calorie food is associated with economic development. Various studies have shown that with economic growth, diet has changed both in rural and urban areas- intake of excess calories mainly from refined carbohydrates. Peripheral artery disease is a common complication and comorbidity of diabetes. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers have coexisting PAD at a proportion of approximately 50% and may suffer from chronic ischemic pain. For these patients, pain reduction can improve significantly their quality of life. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Buerger Allen exercise on improving lower extremity perfusion among patients with type II diabetes mellitus in selected hospitals at Erode.

The conceptual framework for this study was direction from wiedenbach’s helping art of clinical nursing theory (1964). The research design selected for the study was Quasi Experimental Non- equivalent pre-test and post-test control group research design. Non probability Purposive sampling technique was used to select samples. The tool used for the study is Ankle brachial pressure index, measured by using bio-physiological instruments (Sphygmomanometer and hand-held Doppler). The collected data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The mean pre-test scores of level of lower extremity perfusion in experimental group is 0.77(SD + 0.015) and post-test mean score is 0.85(SD + 0.016) and mean difference is 0.08. The paired ‘t’ value was 17.12 which was significant at p<0.05 level. The Independent ‘t’ value was 3.13 which was significant at p <0.05 level of significance.

The findings revealed that there no significant association between the mean post-test level of lower extremity perfusion with demographic variables at p<0.05 level of significance in experimental group. The results of the study concluded that practicing Buerger Allen exercises improved the lower extremity perfusion among patients with type II Diabetes mellitus.