| dc.description.abstract | Background: Patients who suffer from diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the leg experience a greater risk of developing gait deviations due to a decrease in strength of the lower extremities, especially the tibialis anterior and triceps surea muscle groups. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of an exercise training programme on blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, muscle strength, range of motion, balance and gait pattern deviations in patients with diabetic neuropathies. Methods: A total of fourteen participants, who had been diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or nocturnal allodynia in either one or both extremities, were asked to participate in this study. Participants were purposively selected from two private Podiatry practices based on their signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, age, gender and doctor’s clearance to participate in any form of physical activity. Dependent variables included isometric strength of the muscles surrounding the hip, knee and ankle, the range of motion of the ankle in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion using goniometry, an assessment of balance using the stork stand test, and a gait pattern analysis, using the modified Tinetti Gait pattern Assessment Scale. Study design: The study was a single-blinded, pre-test and post-test experimental study design using a quantitative approach. Intervention: The researcher (a registered biokineticist) developed a scientifically-based exercise intervention programme to specifically target the entire kinetic chain, and to reduce fall risks, improve quality of life and to assist in developing a standard protocol for patients with DPN. The intervention programme consisted of a combination of ankle, hip and knee rehabilitation, including gait pattern specific rehabilitation. The intervention took place 2-3 times a week for 45 minutes per session and was divided in four categories: Range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, balance and proprioception and gait pattern training exercises. Results: The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Sign Rank Tests were used to evaluate the differences in dependent variables from pre- to post-intervention. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. An increase in range of motion only in the left ankle dorsiflexion were observed and an increase in balance time for the left leg were observed in the intervention group after a 10-week follow up assessment. Clinical significance was observed in the intervention group, post-intervention, with a decrease in systolic (-9.09%) and diastolic blood pressure (-13.89%) and a decrease in blood glucose levels (-17.89%), however, an increase in these variables was observed in the control group post-intervention. An increase in plantarflexion, 8% (left) and 8% (right) and dorsiflexion 5.26% (left) and an 11.11% (right) increase in range of motion for both left and right ankles, and balance time for both legs, 200% (left) and 159% (right) was observed in the intervention group post-intervention. Although the muscular strength variables showed a mix of an increase and decrease in strength post-intervention in the intervention group, however a clinically significant decreased amount was observed in the control group post-intervention for the majority of muscular strength variables. Conclusions: Although not many findings of this study are statistically significant, clinical significance were observed with most of the variables of this study. The findings of this study can assist future researchers in the development of exercise interventions for patients who suffers from DPN. | en_US |
