The effects of isometric exercises and stretching on postural stability in Non–Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus patients with diffuse symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy

• Published in: The South African journal of physiotherapy Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 27 - 31
• Main Authors: Nenkova, S., Stewart, A., Potterton, J., Becker, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: AOSIS 19.02.2009
• Subjects: diabetic peripheral neuropathy; isometric exercise; postural stability; stretching
• ISSN: 0379-6175; 2410-8219
• DOI: 10.4102/sajp.v65i2.84

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of isometric exercises and stretching on postural stability in Non – Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) patients with diffuse symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy. Patients were assigned to an experimental group and amatched control group. The experimental group received isometric exer-cises and stretching three times weekly for 12 weeks in addition to routine medication and dietary advice. A t the end of this period, this group wascompared with the control group, which received routine medication anddietary advice only. Measurements of muscle strength of quadriceps, ham-strings, ankle plantar and dorsiflexors, and Romberg’s test for postural sta-bility were carried out before and after the 12 weeks intervention. The study showed that isometric exercises and stretching for the lower extremities improved postural stability (p = 0.00)and strength of the quadriceps (p = 0.001) hamstrings (p = 0.001) dorsiflexors (p = 0.001) plantarflexors (p = 0.001)in NIDDM patients with diffuse symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy. This exercise regimen also had a loweringeffect on blood glucose level (p = 0.00).  In conclusion it seems that the simple exercise intervention described in thisstudy may be of benefit to these patients if incorporated into their management programmes.