EFFECT OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION ON BALANCE AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
Description
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disease. There are many complications of diabetes including diabetic neuropathy and distal sensory motor neuropathy is one of them which mainly affect the lower extremities. Muscle weakness and atrophy may develop resulting in affection of balance and quality of life is greatly affected in patients with diabetic neuropathy. PNF proves to be an effective treatment tool to improve muscle strength and balance in many neurological conditions but its effect is yet to be proved in diabetic neuropathy. Purpose: To assess the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on balance and muscle strength in patients with diabetic neuropathy affecting the lower limbs. Method: 19 subjects diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy who met the selection criteria were recruited and assigned into experimental group (13 patients) and control group (6 patients) with age group between 50-70 years. PNF training was given in experimental group whereas control group was trained with conventional balance and strengthening exercises for alternate four days in a week for one month. Pre and post assessment was taken through outcome measures which were Diabetic Neuropathy Examination, Berg Balance Scale and Hand held dynamometer. Result: Result shows that there is statistical significant difference within groups (p<0.05) but there is no significant difference was observed in between group analysis. Also there is no clinical difference was seen in both groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that this treatment protocol might be effective if the treatment duration and study duration could be longer.