Research on Balance Exercises for Diabetic Patients

Balance Exercises can help those with Diabetes

We are all witnesses to the exploding numbers of those with Diabetes. Diabetes directly influences our balance and ability to keep from falling. In this research article, we see that doing balance exercises helps to improve balance, improve muscle strength, improve walking (gait) and decrease falls.

Recent research on Balance Exercises for Diabetics...

The gait and balance of patients with diabetes can be improved: a randomised controlled trial.

Department of Epidemiology,
Maastricht University and Caphri Research School, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Authors:
Allet L; Armand S; de Bie RA; Golay A; Monnin
D; Aminian K; Staal JB; de Bruin ED

Gait characteristics and balance are altered in diabetic patients. Little is known about possible treatment strategies. This study evaluates the effect of a specific training programme, including balance exercises on gait and balance of diabetic patients. METHODS: This was a randomised controlled trial (n=71) with an intervention (n=35) and control group (n=36). The intervention consisted of physiotherapeutic group training including gait and balance exercises with function-orientated strengthening (twice weekly over 12 weeks). Controls received no treatment. Individuals were allocated to the groups in a central office. Gait, balance, fear of falls, muscle strength and joint mobility were measured at baseline, after intervention and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: After training, the intervention group that were given balance exercises increased habitual walking speed by 0.149 m/s compared with the control group. Patients in the intervention group also significantly improved their balance (time to walk over a beam, balance index recorded on Biodex balance system), their performance-oriented mobility, their degree of concern about falling, their hip and ankle plantar flexor strength, and their hip flexion mobility compared with the control group. After 6 months, all these variables remained significant except for the Biodex sway index and ankle plantar flexor strength. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Specific training (balance exercises) can improve gait speed, balance, muscle strength and joint mobility in diabetic patients.

Balance Exercises help Balance and walking in Diabetics

As we can see performing balance exercisescan be a big help to diabetics who deal with numbness in their feet and other related issues. The Exercise For Balance DVD includes instruction from a licensed Physical Therapist to learn how to balance and what balance exercises to do.

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