Iranian Journal of

Background: One of the most common complications of Diabetic Polyneuropathy (DPN) is decreased balance and Postural Control disorder. Balance has an important role in static and dynamic activities as a base of activities of daily living. The objective of this study was the evaluation and comparison of dynamic and functional balance in patients with DPN and healthy subjects.

Methods: In this study, dynamic and functional balance of 11diabetic patients with DPN (detected by Michigan questionnaire) and 11 healthy subjects were evaluated by Biodex Balance System (BBS) and Tandem Stance (TS) test in open and closed eyes conditions. The participants were matched by age and BMI. An independent t-test was used to compare balance parameters between patient and normal group. Furthermore, the correlation between dynamic balance parameters of BBS and TS tests were calculated using the Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient.

Results: The results of BBS in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy were significantly higher than normal subjects (P<0.05). The mean of time of TS test in diabetic group was significantly lower than healthy subjects (P<0.05). Also there was a significant (P=0.004) negative (r = 0.794) correlation between Medio-Lateral stability index (recorded from BBS) and TS with open eye, in diabetes group.

Conclusion: Older adults with DPN have an impaired functional balance in comparison with matched control subjects and this may expose the patients to danger of falling during daily activities.