Effect of Combined Trainings (Rom improvement, Muscle Strengthening, Balance Training, and Gait Training) on Balance and Risk for Falling in Older Women with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Direct and indirect complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy can lead to imbalance and falls, and it may increase the risk for plantar ulcer. Therefore, performing effective trainings to increase balance probably reduces the risk of falling in these patients. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined training on the balance and chance of falling in elderly women with diabetic neuropathy.   A total of 23 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy were randomly allocated to experimental (n=11) and control (n=10) groups in the present study. Before and after training, balance and risk for falling were measured using Berg balance score and fear of falling tests, respectively. Experimental group was involved with combined exercise for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 1 hour per session; the control group did not participate in any exercise program. Data were analyzed running independent and paired- sample t tests at the significance level of α   The results showed that there were significant differences in balance and risk for falling scores in the experimental group after combined training, while there were no significant differences in these scores in the control group. Combined trainings improve balance and reduce the possibility of falling elderly women with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, it is a beneficial therapeutic intervention in order to improve the balance and reduce the risk of falling in these patients.