The Association Between Physical Activity and Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study From Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundPeripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a serious consequence of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can impair quality of life and result in physical disability. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and the severity of PDN among a sample of Saudi diabetic patients in Medina city, Saudi Arabia. MethodologyA total of 204 diabetic patients participated in this multicenter, cross-sectional study. A validated selfadministered questionnaire was distributed electronically to patients on-site during follow-up. Physical activity and diabetic neuropathy (DN) were assessed using the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the validated Diabetic Neuropathy Score (DNS), respectively. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the participants was 56.9 (14.8) years. The majority of the participants reported low physical activity (65.7%). The prevalence of PDN was 37.2%. There was a significant correlation between the severity of DN and the duration of the disease (p = 0.047). Higher neuropathy score was noticed in those with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) level ≥7 compared to those with lower HBA1c (p = 0.045). Overweight and obese participants had higher scores compared to normal-weight participants (p = 0.041). The severity of neuropathy decreased significantly when the level of physical activity increased (p = 0.039). ConclusionsThere is a significant association between neuropathy and physical activity, body mass index, duration of diabetes mellitus, and HbA1c level.

Effectiveness of Rebounder and Foot-ankle Exercises on Biomechanics and Quality of Life in Peripheral Neuropathy Patients

“…One of the relevant exercises in this study is the foot and ankle exercise, which leads to enhancing the mechanical residences of the coccygeal tendon, reducing the fats in the foot muscle groups, increasing the isometric muscle energy of the toes and hallux, ankle extensor strength, range of movement of the ankle inside the sagittal plane, the conduction speed of the peroneal motor nerve and the sural sensory nerve, reducing sole numbness, dilating the peripheral microcirculatory vessels and changing the vascular features, better performance of sensory afferents and motor efferents, and somatosensory integration [14]. They can also adjust foot and ankle mechanics, and reduce pressure variations when walking, boost foot strength and performance, and minimize leg sensation loss, resulting in increased vibration perception and mobility of the foot and ankle joints [15,16].…”

Mastication inefficiency due to diminished or lack of occlusal support is associated with increased blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes

“…Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases [4]. The therapeutic approach of T2D includes maintaining a healthy weight, healthy diet, regular physical activity, quitting smoking, glycemic control, regulating blood pressure, lowering lipid levels, and the use of specific therapeutic agents are fundamental to treatment in terms of preventing complications among diabetics patients [5]. These approaches are considered cardiovascular and renal benefits and constitute the basic treatment approaches to prevent complications in individuals with diabetes [6].…”