Effect of eight weeks of selected core stability exercises on balance and quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy

Neuropathy is one of the most well-known complications of small vessels in diabetes, which leads to a decrease in balance, muscle strength and endurance, and quality of life due to Impaired deep sensory function of the sensory-body system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of selected core stability exercises on balance and quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy. The present study is an applied research and experimental type in which pre-test and post-test with control group have been used. ۳۰ patients with neuropathy (mean ± standard deviation, ۵۵.۱±۲.۶ years of age, ۱۵۴.۹±۲.۷ height, ۷۴.۱±۸ weight and history of neuropathy ۱۱.۸±۳.۴) in a targeted and accessible manner were chosen. Then they were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n = ۱۵) and control (n = ۱۵). The experimental group performed selected ۲۰-minute core stability exercises for eight weeks each week and the control group followed their normal treatment process. Before and after the training period, the variables of balance and quality of life of patients were evaluated by berg balance test (۹-BBS) and short form of quality of life questionnaire for diabetic patients (BCI-DQOL), respectively. The results showed that the selected core stability exercises had an effect on the balance of neuropathic patients (p = ۰.۰۰۱) and quality of life of neuropathic patients (p = ۰.۰۰۱). Findings show that eight weeks of core stability training can be used in the process of physical rehabilitation of patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Keywords:

Core Stability Exercises , Balance , Quality of life