European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECTS OF PLANTAR CUTANEOUS SENSORY STIMULATION ON FOOT TACTILE SENSITIVITY, POSTURAL CONTROL AND SPATIOTEMPORAL GAIT PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Fizza Pervez*, Azka Yaseen, Shaheer Haider, Ahla Chuhdary, Sania Waris and Hira Habib

ABSTRACT

Diabetic neuropathy affects the peripheral nerves, resulting in a variety of symptoms such as decreased ankle articulation, muscle strength, foot perception and frequently reported tingling or numbness, particularly in their feet which negatively impacts the balance, gait, and alters the posture. This study aimed to see either plantar cutaneous sensory stimulation is an effective intervention for improving foot tactile sensitivity or not, and also to see its potential effects on postural control and gait parameters. It was a two-arm randomized clinical trial with a parallel-group design. Eligible participants were recruited and randomly assigned using a computer-generated randomizer. Foot tactile sensitivity was measured with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, postural control with the brief BES Test, and gait parameters were assessed using a stopwatch and measurement tape. The treatment duration was 45 minutes, administered three times a week for a duration of six weeks. The control group received a conventional physiotherapy protocol and diabetic foot care guidelines, while the experimental group received plantar cutaneous sensory stimulation in addition to the standard protocol. Significant differences were observed in the scores of all outcome variables between the control and intervention groups (P < 0.05). Both the control and intervention groups exhibited significant differences within their respective groups (P < 0.001) between pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments.

Keywords: Diabetic neuropathy, Gait parameters, Plantar cutaneous stimulation, Postural instability.