RELATIONSHIP AMONG PLANTAR SENSITIVITY, PLANTAR PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION AND SCORE BALANCE IN SUBJECTS WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

Santos G.M.¹, Parizotto P.¹, Gularte V.T.¹, Rechia M.B.¹, Sinhorim L.M.B.¹, Lanzarim M.¹, Libardoni T.D.C.¹, Mochizuki L.²

¹Santa Catarina State University, Physical Therapy, Florianópolis, Brazil, ²University of São Paulo, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by reduction of tactile, thermal and pain sensitivity, lesions and skin infections increase, joint destruction and fractures, as well as the increase in postural oscillation, reaction time and abnormal neuromuscular response in the face of disturbance.

Purpose: To investigate the association among plantar sensitivity, plantar pressure distribution and balance score in diabetic patients with and without peripheral neuropathy.

Methods: The study included 80 volunteer adults from both sexes, between 20 and 65, divided into three groups: diabetic patients with no peripheral neuropathy; diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy; and control group. To evaluate sensitivity, Sorri® esthesiometer was used; postural balance was analyzed by SMART EquiTest® and to assess plantar pressure distribution, Emed-AT system was used. Univariate ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was performed according to the Gaussian distribution of data or not, with post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction, in order to check difference in the average of plantar pressure distribution variables and balance groups. In addition, the association was conducted using the Spearman correlation test between plantar sensitivity, peak pressure and balance score.

Results: Results showed diabetic individuals present significant differences in plantar sensitivity, in the distribution of plantar pressure and in balance tests compared to the control group. The result of the association observed a moderate negative correlation only in the diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy group, between the peak pressure and balance score.

Conclusion(s): Thus, it is concluded that diabetic individuals have reduced plantar sensitivity and in balance tests, but with higher values in the distribution of plantar pressure and the presence of peripheral neuropathy can directly affect the quality of life of this population.

Implications: Characterizing the potential association among plantar pressure distribution and balance score in diabetic patients with and without Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy as a screening tool could produce preventive actions to the risk of falls and ulcerations.

Funding acknowledgements: Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel -CAPES
Santa Catarina Research Fundation - FAPESC

Topic: Human movement analysis

Ethics approval: The Human Research Ethics Committee of Santa Catarina State University (approval number CAAE 20398713.7.0000.0118)

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