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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 May;94(5):829-38.
doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.12.015. Epub 2012 Dec 28.

Weight-bearing versus nonweight-bearing exercise for persons with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial

Michael J Mueller  1 , Lori J Tuttle, Joseph W Lemaster, Michael J Strube, Janet B McGill, Mary K Hastings, David R Sinacore
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Weight-bearing versus nonweight-bearing exercise for persons with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial

Michael J Mueller et al. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 May.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of weight-bearing (WB) versus nonweight-bearing (NWB) exercise for persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral neuropathy (PN).

Design: Randomized controlled trial with evaluations at baseline and after intervention.

Setting: University-based physical therapy research clinic.

Participants: Participants with DM and PN (N=29) (mean age ± SD, 64.5±12.5y; mean body mass index [kg/m(2)] ± SD, 35.5±7.3) were randomly assigned to WB (n=15) and NWB (n=14) exercise groups. All participants (100%) completed the intervention and follow-up evaluations.

Interventions: Group-specific progressive balance, flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic exercise conducted sitting or lying (NWB) or standing and walking (WB) occurred 3 times a week for 12 weeks.

Main outcome measures: Measures included the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and daily step counts. Secondary outcome measures represented domains across the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Results: The WB group showed greater gains than the NWB group over time on the 6MWD and average daily step count (P<.05). The mean and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between-group difference over time was 29m (95% CI, 6-51) for the 6MWD and 1178 (95% CI, 150-2205) steps for the average daily step count. The NWB group showed greater improvements than the WB group over time in hemoglobin A1c values (P<.05).

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the ability of this population with chronic disease to increase 6MWD and daily step count with a WB exercise program compared with an NWB exercise program.

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Conflict of interest statement

No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Flowchart diagram.
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References

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