Year: 2023 | Month: November | Volume: 13 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 44-50
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20231108
Effects of Functional Balance Training on balance and Risk of Fall in Diabetic Neuropathy - An Interventional Study
Dr. Bhumika R. Chaudhari1, Dr. Jayshree M. Sutaria2
1Postgraduate student, 2Senior Lecturer,
Government Physiotherapy College & Government Spine Institute, Ahmedabad.
Civil Hospital Campus, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Bhumika R. Chaudhari
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is defined as the presence of symptoms and/or signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction in patients with diabetes after other aetiologies have been excluded. They experience muscle weakness, decreased balance, coordination, gait control, loss of ankle reflexes, and therefore have the probable risk of falling.
Aim: To assess the effectiveness of functional balance training on balance and risk of fall in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Methodology: A total of 50 patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Group A (Functional Balance Training + Conventional Physiotherapy) and Group B (Conventional Physiotherapy). They received treatment for 6 consecutive weeks; 4 sessions per week. Outcome measures were the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to assess balance and the Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) to assess risk of falls. Both were measured before and after 6 weeks of intervention. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 16.
Result: Within-group analysis showed statistically significant results in Group A as well as in Group B for both FRT and FES-I scores (p<0.05). Between-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference between both the groups (p<0.05); as the mean difference of Group A was higher, it signified that there was a statistically significant improvement in balance and reduction in risk of fall in Group A compared to Group B.
Conclusion: Functional Balance Training along with Conventional Physiotherapy is effective in improving balance and reducing the risk of falls in Diabetic Neuropathy.
Key words: Diabetic neuropathy, Functional balance training, Functional reach test, Fall Efficacy Scale-International.