Strength And Balance Training on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) adds to decrease functional performance in people with diabetes. People having DPN found to have decrease proprioception, decrease muscle strength specifically in dorsiflexion and planter-flexors of foot and decrease ankle mobility. An important result of DPN on skeletal muscle is speeded motor axon loss. The injuries to motor units have been found in intrinsic foot and hands muscles as well as dorsiflexion of lower limb. Declined muscle strength with DPN has been told in a number of muscles, counting plantar flexor and dorsi-flexors of ankle, flexor and extensor of knee. As predicted, the peripheral ankle muscles have more decline in strength as compared thigh muscle. M.Davies stated in his study that DPN has a negative effect on the quality of life of an individual.In "Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy", the emotional and physical of quality of life are markedly changed, and associated anxiety, sleep disturbance and depression are found in 43% of the affected population. Occupation status in 35 to 43% of patients were affected, within job patients, as a result of pain, admit an usual of 5.5 missed workdays/month (30). Besides compromised life quality, patients with DPN also have greater fall risk due to imbalance problem and this risk is probable high in older age, associated depression and severity of DPN. Consequently, falls and broken bones are common among patients affected, occurring in around 25% of adults greater than 65 years with diabetes compared with 18% same population with no diabetes. The most common complication linked with DPN is frequent foot infections, ulcers and amputations, and Charcot's-joints. It was calculated that 15% of diabetic patients will progress to at least one foot ulcer, and one latest study witnessed a yearly occurrence of approximately 2%. It has been stated that 60%-70% of foot ulcers caused by diabetes are neuropathic in nature .Worldwide incidence of foot ulcer is 6.3%, and the occurrence in Africa, North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia was 7.2%, 13.0%, and 5.1%, 3.0% and 5.5% respectively. A literature also described the occurrence of diabetic foot in Pakistan around 7.6%, with more prevalent in men than women. Other difficulties of DPN contains imbalance, greater fall risk, psychosocial problems, mobility restriction, and sever case can lead to amputation thus restricting patient socially and has severely negative effect on patients life.There is very little data available on the effects of DPN on mortality.Elder individuals have a greater frequency of neuropathy than younger people, and are 17 times more likely to fall. It is crucially important to improve strength and in patients having large nerve fiber involvement. Elder can take benefit from intense strength training by improving coordination, increasing muscle strength and balance, and thus dropping fall and fracture risk. Resistance exercise is suggested for patients having diabetes type 2 and controlling mass of skeletal muscle (sarcopenia) with high resistance (1 RM) 2 to 4 days/week. Both side ankle ROM exercise, functional balance exercises like sit to stand, gait training for reduction planter load , Proprioceptive training exercise such as, stepping with alternate feet, balance board training (prevention of fall) .Several studies were also carried on effects of aerobic exercises and reported quit good effects. A literature review was done in the year 2019. Study concluded that among different physical therapy approaches, Aerobic exercise is best for reducing diabetic risk factors including diabetic neuropathy. In the year 2017, S.Billinger conducted a trail on aerobic exercises. Objectives of the study were to find the effects of aerobic exercises on vascular health. Duration of the study was 16 weeks and study reported that there is slight improvement in the vascular health of diabetic patients. Further 2 trails were conducted by S.Dixit in the year 2013 and 2014. Main objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise on quality of life and progression of diabetic neuropathy respectively. Study stated the positive effects of aerobic training that I could improve the quality of life and slow down the progression of DPN.Another study was done by A.Waje in the year 2020. Study was based on the comparison of balance training exercise with PNF and its effects on balance. Study reported positive effects of both exercises but also report great effects when both treatments were given combined. K.Venkataraman et al conducted a study on short term effects of strength and balance training on functional status and quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Study claimed that strength and balance training can improve functional status, but failed to report its effects on quality of life and severity of diabetic neuropathy.Different studies were done on effects of PNF on balance and functional status in DPN. A study was done by K.Singh in the year 2016 on the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) therapy in improving sensorimotor functions. Study claimed that PNF approach can improve the sensorimotor functions of diabetic neuropathic patients .Regarding Proprioceptive treatment, a study was done in the year 2012 by A.El-Wishy. Study was carried out in Egypt on 28 individuals. Purpose of the research was to know and equate the effects of proprioceptive exercises and conventional exercises on balance. Study reported that combination of proprioceptive and conventional exercises were more effective than isolated conventional physical therapy.