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Background: Diabetic neuropathy disrupts the somatosensory system, causing disturbances in balance and increasing the fall risks. Predisposition to falls is also attributed to decreased neural sensitivity and muscle strength of lower limbs that increases the energy spent in walking. Prescription of patients with diabetic neuropathic feet involves the use of different types of insoles. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of custom molded evazote insoles and silicone insoles in terms of design and material for balance, strength and energy expenditure of lower limbs in patients with diabetic neuropathy Material and Methods: This was a prospective comparative study involving 46 patients with diabetic neuropathy, aged between 45-65 years, who were assessed using the Michigan Neuropathy Scoring Index. Through randomization, 23 patients were prescribed custom molded evazote insoles (Group 1) and remaining 23 were prescribed silicone insoles (Group 2. Pre-intervention and post-intervention scores of balance, lower limb functional strength and energy expenditure were measured at baseline and after 2 weeks. Results: Independent t-tests were performed and these tests reported significant changes between the 2 groups, in balance and functional strength whereas no significant changes were found for energy expenditure of the patients. Conclusion: Custom molded insoles are more effective as compared to silicone insoles in stimulating the mechanoreceptors in the feet and also increase the flow of somatosensory information, to prevent patients from falling. Custom molded evazote insoles provide better balance control and improved functional strength of lower limb muscles, when compared to silicone insoles. Key words: [diabetic neuropathy, insoles, balance, functional strength, energy expenditure, diabetic insoles, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, custom insoles] . |
