Effect of Alter-G Training on Glycemic Control and Quality of Life in Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Polyneuropathy Clinical Trial

Official title: Effect of Lower Body Positive Pressure Aerobic Training on Glycemic Indices and Quality of Life in Patients With Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Randomized Controlled Trial

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Aging is a natural process that is frequently accompanied by chronic physical or mental health problems. Aging as well as a sedentary lifestyle behavior may produce identical pathological and morphological changes. Saudi population, especially elderly people assume sedentary lifestyle, with little physical activity is a strong predisposition for developing a disability that adversely affects many aspects of physical and mental functions; mainly mobility and the ability to perform the basic daily living activities (ADL); resulting finally in increased risk of independence, loss of functionality, and falls. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a widespread chronic metabolic disorder, accounts for 90-95% of all patients with diabetes. It is one of the most life-threatening public health challenges in the world, characterized by long term complications that almost involves all systems of the body. Polyneuropathy is the most common symptomatic complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, found in 50 to 60 % of patients over the age of sixty, with the impaired glycemic control and deteriorated quality of life are among the most debilitating problems in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.

Clinical Trial Description

Regular physical activity is an important component in healthy aging. Regular activity is very beneficial to our health as we age. Physical therapy can play an important role in the evaluation and treatment of older people with gait and balance disorders. Physical Therapy can help in the determination of the impairments produced by balance and gait abnormality and develop individualized plans aiming for identification of functional limitations.

Lower extremity aerobic exercise training (e.g., walking, treadmill and bicycle ergometer) is a good procedure to control and disrupt the progression of hyperglycemia in elderly with DPN. Furthermore; it improves lower limb muscle oxygen uptake, enhances the nerve conduction and proprioceptors sensitivity during activities. Lowe extremity aerobic exercise training can enhance balance, thereby reducing the falling risk. Aerobic exercise is also helpful in preventing age related lifestyle disease and improving quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. A conflict was clearly evoked between prescribing weight bearing and non- weight bearing exercise for elderly with diabetic polyneuropathy.

Weight bearing theoretical basis assumes that weight bearing activities such as walking are superior to other non- weight- bearing activities because of its ability to promote and restore muscular strength, joint proprioception and range of motion necessary to effectively perform typical daily activities. Although weight bearing training can significantly improve walking and balance abilities in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy compared with non- weight bearing training, but there were still not enough evidences to prove the ideal percentage level of weight reduction or unloading during practicing lower extremity training exercise in elderly with diabetic polyneuropathy. Quite recently, a new antigravity treadmill based on The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) technology was introduced. It permits low- load walking using an emerging technology called lower body positive pressure (LBPP) to modify body weight during ambulation. Few trials handled the utilization of LBPP technology and further trials are still warranted to to develop a more effective conservative and intervention treatment protocol for enhancing physical activities, quality of life and functional performance in elderly patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Diabetic Neuropathies
• Diabetic Polyneuropathy
• Polyneuropathies

• NCT number: NCT05115747
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Umm Al-Qura University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: January 15, 2021
• Completion date: October 20, 2021