The effect of balance training on postural stability in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathy

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the computarized balance training based on simulated daily living activities a patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) with mild to modarete peripheral neuropathy on computer based balance training for postural stability.Methods and Materials: Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes with mild to modarate peripheral neuropathy and twenty healthy adults with the same aged, weight and height as control group were included into the study. While the visual-supported computarized balance assessment system were evaluated before and after the training, the cases in control group was evaluated once time. In evaluation scope, the cases had the sensation, leg and back muscle strength assessment before and after the training. After the pre-training evaluations were completed the visual-supported balance assesment training consisted of the activities like daily living activites were applied to the cases in the study group for five days a week for three weeks long period as individually. The post-training assessment results were compared as within the groups and between the groups.Results: When the pre and post training results were compared, it was found that protective sensation, back and leg strength and sensation component of the balance, clinical unilateral stance, limits of the stability, gait, turning, step and forward lunge tests statistically significantly improved (p<0.05). When the study and control group results were compared, it was found that the lower results which belong to diabetic neuropathy group in pre-training period got better results than control group and/or as same as the control group in post-training period (p<0.05, p>0.05).Discussion: It was found that visuallly supported balance training statistically significantly improves the body ossilations which is a parameter of the postural stability and performance time with protective sensation, back and leg strength, additionally it was found that visually supported balance training should be in the physiotherapy applications in order to improve the balance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) with mild to modarete peripheral neuropathy.