Open AccessPilot Study of Exercise Therapy on Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Author(s) -
Yoo Min,
D'Silva Linda J.,
Martin Katherine,
Sharma Neena K.,
Pasnoor Mamatha,
LeMaster Joseph W.,
Kluding Patricia M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1111/pme.12743
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , physical therapy , aerobic exercise , body mass index , peripheral neuropathy , mood , type 2 diabetes , diabetic neuropathy , endocrinology , psychiatry
Objective Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes. While the beneficial effect of exercise on diabetes is well established, its effect specifically on painful DPN has not been thoroughly explored. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on pain in people with DPN. Methods Fourteen sedentary individuals (mean age 57 ± 5.11 years) with painful DPN were enrolled in a 16‐week, supervised aerobic exercise program. The Brief Pain Inventory‐Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy was used to assess pain intensity (worst, least, average, now) and pain interference with daily life (activity, mood, walk, normal work, relationship, sleep, enjoyment of life) pre intervention and postintervention. Body mass index (BMI), maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and blood pressure were also measured preintervention and postintervention as secondary outcomes of interest. Results Significant reductions in pain interference were observed with walking (4.93 ± 3.03 pre to 3.29 ± 2.89 post, P = 0.016), normal work (5.39 ± 3.32 pre to 3.79 ± 3.04 post, P = 0.032), relationship with others (3.96 ± 3.53 pre to 1.29 ± 1.27 post, P = 0.006), sleep (5.11 ± 3.04 pre to 3.5 ± 3.03 post, P = 0.02), and the overall pain interference (4.65 ± 2.70 pre to 2.97 ± 2.22 post, P = 0.013) following the intervention; however, there was no change in pain intensity. VO 2max increased significantly postintervention (16.02 ± 3.84 ml/kg/min pre to 17.18 ± 4.19 ml/kg/min, P = 0.028), while BMI, HbA1c, and blood pressure remained unchanged. Conclusion These preliminary results suggest that perceived pain interference may be reduced following an aerobic exercise intervention among people with painful DPN, without a change in pain intensity. Further validation by a RCT is needed.