Is plantar foot sensation associated with standing balance in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

  • Nihan Kafa
  • Seyit Citaker
  • Zeynep Tuna
  • Hande Guney
  • Defne Kaya
  • Nevin Atalay Guzel
  • Selda Basar
  • Ilhan Yetkin
Original Article
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Abstract

To examine the relationship between one-leg standing balance (OLSB) and different modalities of foot sole sensation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty patients diagnosed with T2DM (mean age, 53.96 ± 15.31 years) and ten healthy control subjects were included. Duration of OLSB was measured with digital chronometer. Threshold of light-touch pressure (LTP), evaluated with full Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test Kit, and distance of two-point discrimination (TPD), evaluated with aesthesiometer, were assessed at six different regions of the foot sole. Thresholds of the LTP at all regions were significantly correlated with duration of OLSB (p < 0.05). However, there was no relationship between TPD sensation and duration of OLSB (p > 0.05). LTP at the plantar side of the great toe was the most related area with the OLSB (r = −0.48, p < 0.05). In patients with T2DM, LTP, and TPD sensations of foot sole and duration of OLSB were decreased compared to healthy controls. In this study, there was a moderate correlation between LTP sensation and balance. Other factors that would affect the balance in patients with T2DM should be investigated.

Keywords

Type 2 diabetes mellitus Foot Sensation Balance 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Authors declare that they have no sponsor in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the manuscript, and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Copyright information

© Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • Nihan Kafa
    • 1
  • Seyit Citaker
    • 1
  • Zeynep Tuna
    • 1
  • Hande Guney
    • 2
  • Defne Kaya
    • 3
  • Nevin Atalay Guzel
    • 1
  • Selda Basar
    • 1
  • Ilhan Yetkin
    • 4
  1. 1.Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and RehabilitationGazi UniversityAnkaraTurkey
  2. 2.Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and RehabilitationHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
  3. 3.Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and RehabilitationBiruni UniversityIstanbulTurkey
  4. 4.Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic DiseasesGazi UniversityAnkaraTurkey

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