Effect of tibial nerve mobilization on balance & gait functions in subjects with subclinical diabetic neuropathy: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: With advancing age, balance control diminishes as a result of cognitive impairment, decreased muscle strength, and impairment in visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. Besides aforesaid factors, the addition of diabetes to all these leads to balance and gait-related issues such as falls and fall-related injuries. Impaired balance and gait performance in diabetics are primarily attributed to the diminished sensory function of the foot and ankle region owing to diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to explicitly examine the impact of neural mobilization on the balance & gait functions of subjects having subclinical diabetic neuropathy.

METHODS: 40 individuals with subclinical diabetic neuropathy, ranging in age from 50 to 75 years, were assigned to two groups at random: Group 1 received the concurrent application of Tibial nerve mobilization and Balance-Gait training whereas Group 2 received only Balance-Gait training. The therapy was administered five times each week, for four weeks. On the first and last day of treatment, measurements of VPT, BBS, TUG, and DGI were taken from each subject.

RESULTS: The results of the study found that post neural mobilization and Balance-Gait training, scores of VPT, BBS, DGI, and TUG showed improvement but it was not significant. As it is evident that diabetic neuropathy is progressive in nature, even small changes can be helpful.

CONCLUSION: Neural mobilization integrated with balance-gait training of subclinical diabetic neuropathic individuals resulted in improved sensory functions along with enhanced balance-gait functions.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01246-w.