EFFECT OF INTERMITTENT PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION (IPC) ON FOOT SENSATION AND BALANCE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

S.N. Aishwarya¹, M Premkumar², S Rajasekar³

¹Institute of Physiotherapy, Srinivas University, Department of Community Based Rehabilitation, Mangaluru, India, ²Institute of Physiotherapy, Srinivas University, Department of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, Mangaluru, India, ³Institute of Physiotherapy, Srinivas University, Department of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Mangaluru, India

Background: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the commonest among all other complications which affects about 50% of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and 20% of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. There are ample number of difficulties faced by DPN individuals among which sensory impairment and balance are the most observed problems. Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) is a non-invasive technique by applying compression at the rate of 50 mmHg to 250 mmHg through leg sleeves to improve the circulation. This study aims to improve the foot sensory functions and balance of diabetic neuropathy patients by using the intermittent pneumatic compression therapy. Time Up and Go (TUG) test, Force Plate, Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) and sensory testing through monofilament were used as outcome measures.

Purpose: To analyse and compare the effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on WIQ, COP, GRF, TUG, Foot sensation by using monofilament in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients.

Methods: 86 Individuals with diagnosed cases of DPN with Grade 1 of American Diabetes Association were included in the study. TUG, WIQ, Force plate, and foot sensation though sensory monofilament were analysed and recorded before the treatment. After screening, 46 individuals were recruited for the study based on selection criteria with signed informed consent. Their demographic profile was recorded. Intermittent Pneumatic Compression therapy was given at the rate of 130 mmHg for about 20 min per session per day continuously for 15 days. Pre and Post Intervention scores of outcome measures were recorded for analysis.

Results: It was found that WIQ, COP, Sensory Monofilament for both left and right were normally distributed; Whereas GRF and TUG were not normally distributed based on the Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Post intervention values of WIQ, COP and Sensory Monofilament for left and right-side foot showed statistically significant difference in Paired t-test (p<0.05). GRF and TUG showed statistically significant difference in Wilcoxon signed rank test (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) was found to be effective in the participants as it showed significant improvement in all the pre-test and post-test parameters in proving the foot sensory function among the patients with DPN.

Implications: Considering the results of the study, Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) can be used in sensory as well as motor functioning in the patients related to the diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Funding acknowledgements: Department of Community Based Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy, Institute of Physiotherapy, Srinivas University, City Campus Pandeshwar, Mangalore - 575001, Karnataka, India

Keywords:
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression
Foot Sensory Function

Topics:
Community based rehabilitation
Education
Education: clinical

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Institute of Physiotherapy

Committee: Institutional review board, Srinivas University

Ethics number: SUIP/FAC22/102/2022