EFFECTS OF BALANCE EXERCISE AND SOMATOSENSORY STIMULATION ON SOMATOSENSORY RESPONSE IN DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

Abstract

Somatosensory dysfunction has become the main problem in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Balance exercise and somatosensory stimulation are exercises to improve balance and somatosensory responses. However, there is no available sufficient evidence measuring the somatosensory response after practicing balance exercise and somatosensory stimulation. This research aims to investigate the effects of balance exercise and somatosensory stimulation on somatosensory response in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This was experimental research, 12 type II diabetes with onset > 10 years were enrolled, randomized, and divided into two groups. For three weeks, group 1, an intervention group (N = 6) practiced balance exercise and somatosensory stimulation for five days a week. Group 2, a control group (N = 6) received education for two times in three weeks. The end of the period, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in neuropathy scores (p=0.013). Balance exercise and somatosensory stimulation could improve somatosensory response in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.