Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 Apr 20:21:68-75.
doi: 10.12659/MSMBR.894163.

Effects of thai foot massage on balance performance in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy: a randomized parallel-controlled trial

Uraiwan Chatchawan  1 , Wichai Eungpinichpong  1 , Piyawan Plandee  1 , Junichiro Yamauchi  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of thai foot massage on balance performance in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy: a randomized parallel-controlled trial

Uraiwan Chatchawan et al. Med Sci Monit Basic Res. .

Abstract

BACKGROUND Peripheral neuropathy is the most common complications of diabetic patients and leads to loss of plantar cutaneous sensation, movement perception, and body balance. Thai foot massage is an alternative therapy to improve balance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Thai foot massage on balance performance in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients with type-2 diabetes were recruited and randomly assigned into either the Thai foot massage or control groups. The Thai foot massage group received a modified Thai traditional foot massage for 30 min, 3 days per week for 2 weeks. We measured timed up and go (TUG), one leg stance: OLS), the range of motion (ROM) of the foot, and foot sensation (SWMT) before treatment, after the first single session, and after the 2-week treatment. RESULTS After the single treatment session, only the Thai foot massage group showed a significant improvement in TUG. After the 2-week treatment, both Thai foot massage and control groups showed a significant improvement of TUG and OLS (P<0.05); however, when comparing between 2 groups, the Thai foot massage group showed better improvement in TUG than the control group (p<0.05). The Thai foot massage group also showed significant improvements in ROM and SWMT after the 2-week treatment. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that Thai foot massage is a viable alternative treatment for balance performance, ROM of the foot, and the foot sensation in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow and follow-up chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Thai foot and leg massage points and lines. At the sole of foot: 4-massage lines from the heel to the base of metatarsophalangeal joints (MTP) (A), 5-massage points; 1 point at the base of 3rd MTP (B) and 4 points at the head of MTP (C). At the dorsum of the foot: 4-massage lines from the ankle to the base of MTP (D), 5-massage points at the head of MTP (E), and distraction of all joints of toes (F). Massage lines at the anterior leg, posterior leg, and knee (G, H).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Time up and go (TUG) after the 2-week treatment. * Denotes statistically different (p<0.05) from baseline and ** indicates statistically different (p<0.05) between groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. van Schie CH. Neuropathy: mobility and quality of life. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2008;24(Suppl 1):S45–51. - PubMed
    1. van Deursen RW, Sanchez MM, Ulbrecht JS, et al. The role of muscle spindles in ankle movement perception in human subjects with diabetic neuropathy. Exp Brain Res. 1998;120(1):1–8. - PubMed
    1. van Deursen RW, Simoneau GG. Foot and ankle sensory neuropathy, proprioception, and postural stability. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1999;29(12):718–26. - PubMed
    1. Richardson JK, Sandman D, Vela S. A focused exercise regimen improves clinical measures of balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;82(2):205–9. - PubMed
    1. Schwartz AV, Hillier TA, Sellmeyer DE, et al. Older women with diabetes have a higher risk of falls: a prospective study. Diabetes Care. 2002;25(10):1749–54. - PubMed

Publication types