Investigating the role of backward walking therapy in alleviating plantar pressure of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Study Goal
To investigate the effect of backward walking training combined with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on plantar pressure distribution in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Results Summary
The combination therapy of backward walking and ALA significantly reduced peak plantar pressure in the forefoot and improved pressure distribution compared to ALA alone. Backward walking also enhanced balance ability and muscle strength in DPN patients.
Population
Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (N=60).
Effective Dosage
Backward walking exercise for 12 weeks (frequency not specified); ALA for 2 weeks (dosage not specified).
Duration
12 weeks for backward walking; 2 weeks for ALA.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
combination therapy of backward walking training and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment | decrease | peak plantar pressure in the forefoot | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | dropped | #1 |
ALA treatment | decrease | peak plantar pressure in the forefoot | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | dropped | #2 |
combination therapy of backward walking training and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment | decrease | peak plantar pressure | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | dropped significantly | #3 |
combination therapy of backward walking training and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment | increase | peak plantar pressure in the medial foot | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | slightly increased | #4 |
combination therapy of backward walking training and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment | neutral | plantar pressure | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | more even distribution | #5 |
combination therapy of ALA and backward walking | neutral | - | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | more effective | #6 |
backward walking | neutral | balance ability | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | ameliorating effect | #7 |
backward walking | neutral | muscle strength | patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | - | ameliorating effect | #8 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of combination therapy of backward walking training and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment on the distribution of plantar pressure in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). DESIGN: This study is a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. The test group was treated with combination therapy of backward walking exercise and ALA (ALA for 2wk, backward walking exercise for 12wk), and the control group only received ALA treatment. SETTING: Clinical and laboratory setting. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with DPN (N=60) were divided into the test group (n=30) or control group (n=30). INTERVENTIONS: Backward walking exercise with ALA treatment for the test group; lipoic acid treatment for the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Plantar pressure before and after treatment was tested and analyzed with the flatbed plantar pressure measurement system. RESULTS: After treatment, peak plantar pressure in the forefoot dropped for both the test and control groups; peak plantar pressure for the test group dropped significantly. Peak plantar pressure in the medial foot slightly increased for the test group, suggesting a more even distribution of plantar pressure in the test group after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy of ALA and backward walking proved to be more effective than ALA monotherapy. Backward walking also proved to have an ameliorating effect on balance ability and muscle strength of patients with DPN.