Effect of whole-body vibration on sensation, functional mobility and gait on diabetic neuropathy patients

Abstract

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) manifests as decreased sensation due to nerve damage, limiting daily activities. Changes in foot pressure distribution, caused by reduced protective sensations, can lead to gait variations and reduced functional mobility. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) on sensation, functional mobility, and gait in diabetic neuropathy patients. About 60 participants, both male and female, aged between 40 to 60 years, with diabetic neuropathy, were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and allocated to the vibration group (VT) and sensorimotor group (ST). Both groups received the treatment three days per week for four weeks. In the experimental group, each session consisted of two sets of five 30-second vibration squats along with the sensorimotor training. The control group received only sensorimotor training. The subjects were assessed using the monofilament, timed up and go test (TUGT), and dynamic gait index (DGI). After the intervention, the mean and standard deviation (SD) values for the control group increased from (5.30 ± 1.208) to (6.77 ± 0.971, p = 0.000) for monofilament, for TUGT from (19.13 ± 5.198) to (16.40 ± 5.001, p = 0.000), and for DGI from (14.60 ± 2.749) to (16.93 ± 2.180, p = 0.000). For the experimental group, the mean and SD values for monofilament increased from (4.90 ± 1.213) to (7.47 ± 0.973, p = 0.000), for TUGT from (20.23 ± 4.297) to (16.10 ± 3.960, p = 0.001), and for DGI from (13.97 ± 2.539) to (17.30 ± 2.246, p = 0.0000). Whole-body vibration therapy demonstrates greater effectiveness in improving sensation, functional mobility, and gait in diabetic neuropathy patients when compared with sensorimotor training. WBV and sensorimotor training both proved to be effective training programs in enhancing sensation and improving functional mobility and gait.