Open AccessThe effects of isometric exercises and stretching on postural stability in Non–Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus patients with diffuse symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy
Author(s) -
S. Nenkova,
Aimée Stewart,
Joanne Potterton,
P J Becker
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
south african journal of physiotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2410-8219
pISSN - 0379-6175
DOI - 10.4102/sajp.v65i2.84
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , medicine , regimen , ankle , diabetes mellitus , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , surgery , endocrinology
The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of isometric exercises and stretching on postural stability in Non – Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) patients with diffuse symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy. Patients were assigned to an experimental group and amatched control group. The experimental group received isometric exer-cises and stretching three times weekly for 12 weeks in addition to routine medication and dietary advice. A t the end of this period, this group wascompared with the control group, which received routine medication anddietary advice only. Measurements of muscle strength of quadriceps, ham-strings, ankle plantar and dorsiexors, and Romberg’s test for postural sta-bility were carried out before and after the 12 weeks intervention. The study showed that isometric exercises and stretching for the lower extremities improved postural stability (p = 0.00)and strength of the quadriceps (p = 0.001) hamstrings (p = 0.001) dorsiexors (p = 0.001) plantarexors (p = 0.001)in NIDDM patients with diffuse symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy. This exercise regimen also had a loweringeffect on blood glucose level (p = 0.00). In conclusion it seems that the simple exercise intervention described in thisstudy may be of benet to these patients if incorporated into their management programmes.