Effectiveness of Training on Postural Stablity in Mild to Moderate Diabetic Neuropathy Patients

Diabetic neuropathy is a well-known micro vascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus attributed to chronic hyperglycemia with periperal nerve dysfunction. Postural instability is the major clinical impairment which leads to increased risk of falls. Therefore this study aims to retrain the postural stability and to reduce risk of falls by means of prescribed exercise training program in mild to moderate diabetic neuropathy patients.

This Quasi experimental-pretest/posttest design included 34 subjects who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Outcomes were measured using Clinical neurological examination-Valk score, Tinetti falls efficacy scale, Multi directional reach test and Unipedal stance test. Patients were given a prescribed training program of 3 weeks at home with a regular follow up.

The results showed that there is a significant difference in Clinical neurological evaluation, Falls efficacy scale and unipedal stance time (p<0.000).Multi directional reach forward and right (p<0.000), backward (p<0.001) and left (p<0.002) shows significant changes.

Training postural stability have benefecial effects in improving the unipedal stance time, Multidirectional reach and Falls efficacy scale. Clinical neurological examination score is significant but not highly significant as expected. Training may not have a greater influence and effectiveness in clinical symptoms but beneficial in improving one's stability limits. Early assessment and training program to be considered to reduce the risk of falls in the disease progression state.