2023年 新着論文 50 糖尿病診療分野から論文が発表されました

Effect of joint limitation and balance control on gait changes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetol Int. 2023 Jul 24;14(4):390-396. doi: 10.1007/s13340-023-00647-9. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Authors

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokushima University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-Chome Kuramoto, Tokushima, Japan.
  • 2 Diabetes Therapeutics and Research Center, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
  • 3 Division of Science and Technology, Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.

Abstract

Aims: This study analyzed the gait patterns of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients and changes in the center of mass sway to prevent the formation and recurrence of foot ulcers.

Methods: Forty-two subjects were divided into the diabetes mellitus (DM), DPN, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) groups. We measured the range of motion (ROM) of the lower limb joints in the resting position and the center of mass sway in the standing position. Joint angles, ROM during walking, and distance factors were evaluated.

Results: In the DFU group, ROM limitation during walking was detected at the knee joint, and functional and ROM limitations were found at the ankle joint. The step length ratio and step width in the DFU group were significantly lower and higher than those in the DM group, respectively. The sway distances in the DFU group were greater than those in the DM and DPN groups.

Conclusions: Functional joint limitations and gait changes due to the decreased ability to maintain the center of gravity were observed in the DFU group. As DPN progressed, the patients’ gait became small, wide, and shuffled. Thus, supporting joint movement during walking may help reduce the incidence and recurrence of foot ulcers.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-023-00647-9.

Keywords: Balance; Center of mass sway; Diabetic neuropathy; Foot ulcer; Gait analysis; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestAll authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in the subject matter of that manuscript.