ABSTRACT

Background: Impaired sensations associated with PN in type 2 Diabetes, are thought to cause balance impairments that can increase the incidence of no: of falls and progressive deterioration of physical function. MS Exercises that have proved to improve balance are thought to be more effective in improving physical function and reducing no of falls. Objectives of the study was to determine the effect of MS Exercises in improving physical function and in reducing no: of falls.

Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed as type 2 DPN were enrolled, and subdivided into experimental group (n=15) and control group (n=15).The experimental group practiced MS balance exercises and Control group practiced balance exercises for 30 minutes, thrice a week, over 6 weeks. Outcome measures used were Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) to assess physical function and ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUG) test for assessing no: falls. The statistical methods used were Wilcoxen Signed Rank Test and Mann  whiteny U Test.

Result: Based on the statistical analysis, the result showed that there was statistically significant difference in improving physical function and reducing no: of falls between pre-test and post-test values of both groups. Experimental group showed greater improvement in physical function while measuring with LEFS and reduction in no: of falls while measuring with TUGT than control group in subjects with Type 2 DN.

Conclusion: The clinical observation suggests that the MS Exercises is an effective intervention in improving physical function and reducing no: of falls in subjects with type 2 DN.

Keywords: Diabetes, Diabetic Neuropathy, Multisensory exercise, Physical function