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Sensori‐motor Function in Older Persons with Diabetes
Author(s) -
Lord S.R.,
Caplan G.A.,
Colagiuri R.,
Colagiuri S.,
Ward J.A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1993.tb00133.x
Subject(s) - medicine , proprioception , diabetes mellitus , body mass index , sensation , peripheral neuropathy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , endocrinology , neuroscience , biology
Twenty‐five persons with diabetes (aged 55–83 years) who were living independently in the community, and 40 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐diabetic controls were assessed for tactile sensitivity, vibration sense, proprioception, quadriceps strength and body sway. In both men and women, those with diabetes performed significantly worse in tests of body sway on firm and compliant surfaces compared with the control subjects after controlling for weight and body mass index. The female diabetic subjects also performed significantly worse in tests of peripheral sensation and strength compared with controls. Age‐related declines in sensori‐motor function were greater in the diabetic group (r = 0.55–0.75) than in the controls (r < 0.44), while within the diabetic group, duration of diabetes and vibration sense were significantly correlated with sway on a compliant (foam rubber) surface with the eyes open (partial r = 0.52, p < 0.01 and r = 0.55, p < 0.01, respectively). The study findings provide evidence that older people with diabetes have problems with stability and related sensori‐motor factors which may place them at increased risk of falls.