Effect of functional strength training versus proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance and gait in patients with diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

Background: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus, which mainly affects lower limbs in patients with diabetes. Thus, taking into consideration, the debilitating effects of diabetic neuropathy, strength training (ST) is advocated for these individuals to prevent further deterioration. There is meager literature supporting the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) in individuals with diabetic neuropathy. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of functional ST and PNF on balance and gait in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two participants with diabetic neuropathy were recruited and randomly allocated to PNF group and FST group. PNF group received PNF lower limb patterns and functional ST group received functional ST for 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Balance and gait were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) respectively. Statistical Analysis: Within group and between groups, data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U–tests respectively. Results: A significant improvement in the values of BBS and DGI was observed in PNF group (P Conclusion: Functional ST is more effective than PNF in improving the clinical measures of balance and gait in patients with diabetic neuropathy.