Irshad Ahmad1,2, Shalini Verma1, Majumi Mohamad Noohu1, Mohd Ejaz Hussain1,3. 1. Diabetes Research Group, Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, India. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, India. 3. Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and Physiotherapy, SGT University, GuruGram, Haryana, India.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sensorimotor training on spatiotemporal parameters of gait among middle-aged and older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: A randomised controlled study with four parallel arms (two intervention groups and two control groups) was conducted. Thirty-seven DPN patients were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 16 middle-aged and 21 older adults were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups. Participants in the intervention group were administered eight weeks (three days/week) of sensorimotor training along with diabetes and foot care education whereas participants in the control group received only diabetes and foot care education. Outcome measures involved spatiotemporal parameters of gait at self-paced and maximal-paced, measured before and after eight weeks. RESULTS: Age difference was found to be significant in velocity (p ≤ 0.013) and stride length (p ≤ 0.017) at self-paced and maximal-paced walking. After the intervention, velocity was found to be a significant group effect and time × group interaction at self-paced (p = 0.003) and maximal-paced (p = 0.003) walking. Stride length (p = 0.006) was found to be a significant group effect and time × group interaction at self-paced only. Cadence (p = 0.041) and gait cycle (p = 0.05) were found to be significant time × group interaction only at maximal-paced walking. Stance (p ≤ 0.047) and double limb support (p ≤ 0.02) were found to be significant group effect and time × group interaction at self-paced and maximal-paced walking. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training improves spatiotemporal parameters of gait after eight weeks in similar fashion in middle-aged and older age DPN patients, regardless of age.
PURPOSE: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sensorimotor training on spatiotemporal parameters of gait among middle-aged and older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: A randomised controlled study with four parallel arms (two intervention groups and two control groups) was conducted. Thirty-seven DPN patients were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 16 middle-aged and 21 older adults were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups. Participants in the intervention group were administered eight weeks (three days/week) of sensorimotor training along with diabetes and foot care education whereas participants in the control group received only diabetes and foot care education. Outcome measures involved spatiotemporal parameters of gait at self-paced and maximal-paced, measured before and after eight weeks. RESULTS: Age difference was found to be significant in velocity (p ≤ 0.013) and stride length (p ≤ 0.017) at self-paced and maximal-paced walking. After the intervention, velocity was found to be a significant group effect and time × group interaction at self-paced (p = 0.003) and maximal-paced (p = 0.003) walking. Stride length (p = 0.006) was found to be a significant group effect and time × group interaction at self-paced only. Cadence (p = 0.041) and gait cycle (p = 0.05) were found to be significant time × group interaction only at maximal-paced walking. Stance (p ≤ 0.047) and double limb support (p ≤ 0.02) were found to be significant group effect and time × group interaction at self-paced and maximal-paced walking. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training improves spatiotemporal parameters of gait after eight weeks in similar fashion in middle-aged and older age DPN patients, regardless of age.