A Study to Evaluate the Reaction Time According to the Duration of Diabetes

Globally, as of 2010, an estimated 285 million people had diabetes, with type 2 making up about 90% of the cases.^] Diabetes mellitus affects the various systems of the body like the somatosensory, auditory system and slows psychomotor and cognitive responses all of which together may affect the reaction time. Reaction time is the time taken by the individual to react or respond to applied stimuli. Slowing of these reaction times affects the everyday tasks such as balance, increasing probability of a slip or fall. Impaired peripheral sensations and declined cognitive function, due to affection of central nervous system are the important factors for increased reaction times in diabetic individuals. One of the largest implications of increased reaction time is in the area of slips and falls. Falls are incurred by most of the diabetic population and are a common source of morbidity and mortality. Hence the assessment and improvement of reaction time constitutes an important part of management of individuals with type II diabetes.

60 subjects with type II diabetes were selected for the study and screened through inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were briefed about the study and consent taken. They are divided into two groups group A with duration diabetes below 5 years & group B with duration diabetes above 5 years. The patients are assessed with Reach test.

Group A have mean value is 9.09 cm and Standard deviation of 2.897928313 and Group B have mean value are 15.92 and standard deviation of 3.809492077. The t-test value is 7.82 AND p-value is less than 0.001. The statistical analysis confirms that there is a slowing down of reaction time in group B than group A.

The study concluded that the patients with five years or more duration of diabetes have slowing of reaction time than less duration diabetes. This statistical analysis confirms that there is a slowing down of reaction time in group B than group A.