Evaluation of Ankle Joint Proprioception and Balance in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Background: Joint proprioception plays an important role in limb movement and awareness of position sense. Diabetes has a lot of complications such as lossof sensoryfunction, which canleadtoimpaired balance, thus the aim of this study to evaluated joint proprioception and balance in diabetic patients.Methods:Twenty type II diabetic patients and20healthy controls participated in this case-controlled study. Standing balance in various positions and ankle joint proprioception were measured. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and chi-square test.Results:It was observed that the ankle joint proprioception and balance in diabetic patients were significantly less than control groups.(P<0.05)Conclusion: Joint proprioception and balance functions impair in diabetic patients. Thus improvement of joint proprioception for prevention of fall is important.