Effect of Proprioceptive and Flexibility Exercise Program along with Resisted Training on Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Pain amongPatients with Diabetic Neuropathy

Objective: Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Though the beneficial effect of exercise on diabetes is well established, specifically the relationship between the effect of exercises over pain and the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic neuropathy has not been explored. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of exercise on pain and glycosylated hemoglobin in people with diabetic neuropathy. Methods: Total 64 sedentary individuals (mean age 57 ± 5.11 years) with diabetic neuropathy were enrolled in an 8-week, supervised exercise program. Group A received proprioceptive exercise and Group B underwent flexibility exercises along with a resisted exercise program for both groups. The VAS and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured at the pre-intervention and post-intervention (4 weeks and 8 weeks) as outcomes of interest. Results: Significant reductions in HbA1c and pain remained unchanged. Conclusion: The results from our current study suggests that proprioceptive exercises with flexibility exercises combined with resisted exercise are equally effective in reducing the pain as well as Hba1c level among the diabetic neuropathy patients.