Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: September | Volume: 13 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 101-110
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230917
Effectiveness of Home-Based Activities on Functional Balance and Mobility of Indian Older Adults with Diabetic Neuropathy
Archna Kaushik1, Akhilesh Shukla1, Madhuchhanda Mohanty2
1,2PhD Scholar, MGOT, MGUMST, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2PhD Scholar, Amity International University, Noida, UP, India
Corresponding Author: Archna Kaushik
ABSTRACT
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the most prevalent and chronic complication of elderly diabetics, occurring in up to 65% of elders with diabetes. Falls in this vulnerable population pose a significant burden to the healthcare system. An association between increased fall risk and DPN has been established. Postural instability, gait and balance problems provide the ground for falling and increased risk. There is a need to develop strategies to improve balance and efficiently train older adults with DPN to reduce falls and control factors leading to risk of falling. Various balance training interventions have been applied and studied. It has been found that a simple, specific, integrated, and convenient training program to improve balance and mobility within the home setup provides better opportunity to achieve this goal for DPN. For this purpose, a home activities-based training program was designed and studied. Pre and post evaluation of functional balance and mobility was done using Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test and Functional Reach Test. Forty Indian community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above with a diagnosis of DPN were included with exclusion of those having any other conditions causing balance impairments. The paired t-test was used to compare the effects of training (p≤0.05). The trial showed improvements in functional balance and mobility of elderly with DPN. Thus, a home activities-based program amalgamating proprioceptive, mobility and biomechanical strategies can be applied to improve functional balance in Indian community dwelling older adults with DPN.
Key words: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), Falls, Elderly, Balance, Home based activities program