Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Glucose Control, Neuropathy Scores, Balance, and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Neuropathy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Tai Chi exercise on glucose control, neuropathy scores, balance, and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and neuropathy. Methods: A pretest-posttest design with a nonequivalent control group was utilized to recruit 59 diabetic patients with neuropathy from an outpatient clinic of a university hospital. A standardized Tai Chi for diabetes program was provided, which comprised 1 hour of Tai Chi per session, twice a week for 12 weeks. Outcome variables were fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin for glucose control, the Semmes-Weinstein 10-g monofilament examination scores and total symptom scores for neuropathy, single leg stance for balance, and the Korean version of the SF-36v2 for quality of life. Thirty-nine patients completed the posttest measures after the 12-week Tai Chi intervention, giving a 34% dropout rate. Results: The mean age of the participants was 64 years, and they had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for more than 12 years. The status was significantly better for the participants in the Tai Chi group (n = 20) than for their control (i.e., nonintervention) counterparts (n = 19) in terms of total symptom scores, glucose control, balance, and quality of life. Conclusion: Tai Chi improved glucose control, balance, neuropathic symptoms, and some dimensions of quality of life in diabetic patients with neuropathy. Further studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the effects of Tai Chi on the management of diabetic neuropathy, which may have an impact on fall prevention in this population.

Parallels between astronauts and terrestrial patients – Taking physiotherapy rehabilitation “To infinity and beyond”

“…Functional and exercise training have also shown benefits in patients with neuropathy, including Tai Chi showing improvements in balance (Ahn & Song, 2012),…”

Fisioterapia convencional versus conceito Balance sobre alterações sensório-motoras da neuropatia diabética

“…Entretanto, um estudo que tratou do uso de medicina tradicional chinesa para estimulação sensorial em diabéticos, não encontrou significância nos resultados após sua intervenção, o que pode concernir à presença de movimentos de menor intensidade e pressão no protocolo em questão 27 . Todavia, o mesmo estudo avaliou as alterações na QV destes pacientes pós-intervenção e constatou melhora, possivelmente associada a inserção das práticas de exercício, fato que também foi evidenciado na pesquisa atual.…”

The role of physical activity and psychological coping strategies in the management of painful diabetic neuropathy – A systematic review of the literature

“…One quasi-experimental trial of Tai Chi [33] and one randomised controlled trial investigating aerobic physical exercise [34] were selected. There were two randomised controlled trials of psychological interventions, CBT and Mindfulness relaxation [35,36].…”

“…Sample sizes ranged from 19-87, with only two studies reporting a sample size calculation [33,36]. The intervention arms were compared with treatment as A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t usual [33][34][35] or a control arm of diabetes self-care education providing equivalent contact time with a health professional as the intervention arm [36].…”

“…Ahn et al [33] conducted a quasi-experimental study investigating the effects of Tai Chi. Tai Chi had previously been shown to increase peripheral vasodilation and have a potential beneficial effect on HbA1c levels (a measure of blood glucose control) [33]. The first thirty participants consented were allocated Tai Chi, and their outcomes compared to the next block of twenty-nine control participants.…”