Dose Postural Control Improve Following Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Patients? A Randomized Placebo Control Trial

Background: peripheral neuropathy is the most common problem of diabetes. Neuropathy leads to lower extremity somatosensory deficits and postural instability in these patients. However, there are not sufficient evidences for improving postural control in these patients.

Aim: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on postural control in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Methods: Twenty eighth patients with diabetic neuropathy (40-55 Y/O) participated in this RCT study. Fourteen patients in case group received TENS and sham TENS was used for control group. Force plate platform was used to extract sway velocity and COP displacement parameters for postural control evaluation.

Results: The mean sway velocity and center of pressure displacement along the mediolateral and anteroposterior axes were not significantly different between two groups after TENS application (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Application of 5min high frequency TENS on the knee joint could not improve postural control in patients with diabetic neuropathy.