Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Exercise on Balance and Sensory Function in Nursing Home Geriatric Individuals with Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease whose prevalence increases with age and causes severe damages in all systems of the body. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of proprioceptive exercises on balance and sensory function in the geriatric adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: Forty individuals aged 65 and over with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided as a study group (n=20) and as a control group (n=20). All patients were evaluated at the baseline and after 8 weeks training. Balance was mea-sured using Berg Balance Scale and Nintendo Wii system. Balance and gait were evaluated by Tinetti Balance and Gait Test. Semmes-Wein-stein monofilament test was used for assessing tactile sensory, diapa-son for vibration and active matching test for joint position sense. Study group received 45 minutes long proprioceptive exercise training 3 times/week for 8 weeks and the control group only received diabetic patient education. Results: Study group demonstrated significant differences in Berg Balance Scale, Wii Fit balance age and Tinetti Balance and Gait Test scores (p<0.05). Vibration perception duration yielded a higher duration in the study group after treatment (p<0.05). Active matching movement and tactile sensory of the sole showed statistically improvement in the study group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Proprioceptive exercises recommended to individuals with geriatric diabetes can be a beneficial approach to increase balance ability to prevent falling and somatosensory loss.