The gait and balance of patients with diabetes can be improved

NewsBot · Oct 23, 2010

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The gait and balance of patients with diabetes can be improved: a randomised controlled trial.
Allet L, Armand S, de Bie RA, Golay A, Monnin D, Aminian K, Staal JB, de Bruin ED.
Diabetologia. 2010 Mar;53(3):458-66

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Gait characteristics and balance are altered in diabetic patients. Little is known about possible treatment strategies. This study evaluates the effect of a specific training programme on gait and balance of diabetic patients.

METHODS: This was a randomised controlled trial (n=71) with an intervention (n=35) and control group (n=36). The intervention consisted of physiotherapeutic group training including gait and balance exercises with function-orientated strengthening (twice weekly over 12 weeks). Controls received no treatment. Individuals were allocated to the groups in a central office. Gait, balance, fear of falls, muscle strength and joint mobility were measured at baseline, after intervention and at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS: The trial is closed to recruitment and follow-up. After training, the intervention group increased habitual walking speed by 0.149 m/s (p<0.001) compared with the control group. Patients in the intervention group also significantly improved their balance (time to walk over a beam, balance index recorded on Biodex balance system), their performance-oriented mobility, their degree of concern about falling, their hip and ankle plantar flexor strength, and their hip flexion mobility compared with the control group. After 6 months, all these variables remained significant except for the Biodex sway index and ankle plantar flexor strength. Two patients developed pain in their Achilles tendon: the progression for two related exercises was slowed down.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Specific training can improve gait speed, balance, muscle strength and joint mobility in diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to explore the influence of these improvements on the number of reported falls, patients' physical activity levels and quality of life.
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SnowPod · Oct 24, 2010

Thanks for that article. I'm constantly on the look out for Diabetes/MSk articles to pass on to the Biomechanics-shunning Wound Care Pods at my work.

Griff · Oct 24, 2010

SnowPod,

Given your plight, you may find these of interest also.

IG

NewsBot · Jul 19, 2023

Custom-Made Ethyl Vinyl Acetate Insoles with Arch Support Could Improve Static Balance in Diabetic Women with Neuropathic Foot
Fatemeh Hemmati et al
J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2023 May-Jun;113(3):20-222

Background: Individuals with diabetic neuropathy may experience plantar ulcers and postural instability. Although use of an insole with arch support has the potential to decrease the incidence of plantar ulcers, the choice of proper design and material density concerning postural stability is challenging. The objective of this pilot study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the immediate effects of custom-made ethyl vinyl acetate insoles with arch support and Shore A values of 30 or 50 on static balance in patients with diabetes and neuropathic foot/feet.

Methods: Ten women with diabetes participated in this study. Static balance was analyzed while in double-limb standing with eyes closed and eyes open and while standing on a dominant limb with eyes open wearing shoes only and wearing shoes and insoles with Shore A values of 30 and 50.

Results: With insole, the mean values of center of pressure excursions decreased significantly while standing on double limbs with eyes closed. The improvement in static balance was greater while using the insole with greater density; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: An insole with arch support made of ethyl vinyl acetate Shore A of 30 and 50, which could decrease plantar pressure concentration, had no negative effect on the static balance of diabetes. Therefore, further research on the long-term effects of such insoles on the static balance of diabetes is suggested.
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SnowPod Member

Griff Moderator

Attached Files:

Payne 1998 - Biomechanics of the foot in DM.pdf

Diabetic Foot - review of biomechanics.pdf

Diabetic Gait + Posture abnormalities.pdf

Diabetic Neuropathy - ankle mobility.pdf

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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