Abstract

EFFECT OF BACKWARD WALKING ON BALANCE AND FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IN PATIENT WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Dr. Anjumol K. Justin, Dr. Preeti Gazbare* and Dr. Manisha Rathi

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is always an alarming complication in diabetes mellitus patients affecting the peripheral nerve. Backward walking (BW) is an activity that results in joint kinematic patterns different from those experienced during forward walking. BW is beneficial for your brain, it sharpens your thinking skill and enhances cognitive control. Backward locomotion helps to maintain better blood sugar control in diabetics, balanced hormones. Benefits gained in BW include reduced ground reaction force at contact, potential of proprioceptive/balance control training during activity. Methods: 60 diagnosed Diabetic Neuropathy patients were divided randomly into two groups of 30 each. Group A received backward walking with conventional therapy whereas Group B received forward walking with conventional therapy for 3 weeks. Pre and post intervention balance on Berg balance scale and functional ability on Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale was measured. Statistical Analysis was done by using t-test and significance was accepted at the confidence interval of 95%. Results: Balance significantly improved in Group A from 33.30±3.78 to 46.97±3.68 with t value of 23.02 (p=0.00) than Group B from 33.17±3.76 to 36.97 ± 3.77, t value13.51(P=0.000) Significant improvement in functional ability in Group A & in Group B from 50.43±7.45 to 63.41±7.70, t value of 18.49(P=0.00) & from 49.85±7.24 to 52.68± 7.21, t value of 23.07 (P=0.00). Conclusion: Backward walking along with conventional therapy is effective in improving balance and functional ability in patient with diabetic neuropathy.

Keywords: Diabetic Neuropathy, Backward Walking, ABC, BBS.