Evaluation of Balance in Diabetes Patients With Peripheral Neuropathy

당뇨병성 신경병증 환자의 균형기능 평가

  • Weon, Jong-Hyuck (Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University) ;
  • Lee, Young-Hee (Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University) ;
  • Yi, Chung-Hwi (Dept. of Rehabilitation, College of Health Science, Yonsei University Institute of Health Science, Yonsei University) ;
  • Cho, Sang-Hyun (Dept. of Rehabilitation, College of Health Science, Yonsei University Institute of Health Science, Yonsei University)
  • 원종혁 (원주기독병원 재활의학과 물리치료실) ;
  • 이영희 (연세대학교 원주의과대학 재활의학교실) ;
  • 이충휘 (연세대학교 보건과학대학 재활학과 및 보건과학연구소) ;
  • 조상현 (연세대학교 보건과학대학 재활학과 및 보건과학연구소)
  • Published : 1998.09.19

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of different degrees of severity of diabetic neuropathy on balance function, and to evaluate dynamic balance and functional performance in diabetes patients. Twenty-four subjects with diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to results of sensory nerve conduction study. All subjects were evaluated for dynamic balance which was measured using computerized dynamic posturography, and functional performance which was measured using the Berg balance scale. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine whether there were any statistically differences of dynamic balance function and functional performance among the three groups. The Spearrnan's rank correlation was used to determine statistical significance between dynamic balance and age. The results were as follows: 1. Dynamic balance measured using computerized dynamic posturography was significantly lower in the no response group than in the normal amplitude group (p<0.05). 2. Functional performance tested by the Berg balance scale was not statistically different among the three groups (p>0.05). 3. an inverse relationship was found between dynamic balance measured using computerized dynamic posturography and age (r=-0.68, p<0.05). These results suggest that patients with severe diabetic neuropathy have loss of dynamic balance function. Therefore, patients with severe diabetic neuropathy need to have their balance evaluated and receive appropriate education.

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