ISSN : 2663-2187

GAIT ALTERATIONS & FEAR OF FALL IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY IN A RURAL SCENARIO: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Main Article Content

Dr. Sukhpreet Pabla, Dr. Dilip Apturkar
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.15.2024.6415-6423

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a major sequela of diabetes mellitus and may have a detrimental effect on the gait of people with this complication. DPN causes a disruption in the body’s sensorimotor system and is believed to affect up to 50% of patients with diabetes mellitus, dependent on the duration of diabetes. The peripheral nervous system controls the complex series of events in gait through somatic and autonomic functions, careful balancing of eccentric and concentric muscle contractions and a reliance on the sensory information received from the plantar surface. Gait abnormalities can cause falls and decrease of mobility, with important repercussions on the health. METHODOLOGY: A Cross- sectional study was conducted in Pravara Rural Hospital in patients having Type II Diabetes Mellitus. The recruited patients were screened for demographic data along with other details. Detailed assessment of patients was done by using Timed up and Go Test to calculate fear of Fall and Fear of Fall Scale International (FES-I). Gait Parameters were documented using Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) was recorded. FINDINGS: The study showed the Moderate correlation between Gait Parameters and Fear of Fall of the gait showed that the normalized stride length is predictive of falls in older adults. The normalized stride length kept its predictive capacity even after correcting for a large number of factors associated with falls and functional loss, including the baseline functional capacity of the subject. A stride length shorter than half of the height is a sensitive risk marker for functional loss and falls. CONCLUSION: The Study Concludes the duration of onset of Diabetic Neuropathy is directly associated with the fear of fall and Gait. Literature suggests early physical therapy interventions in the form of Gait and Balance training helps in the reduction of the above-mentioned parameters.

Article Details