Effect of Sensory Training on Functional Performance, Balance, Gait in Type 2 Diabetic Individuals With Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. DPN is characterized by significant axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination affecting sensory and motor nerves. The effect of foot sole sensation on gait and balance parameters has been reported in various studies in the literature, however, no study has been found examining the effect of foot sensory training on plantar sensation, functional performance, balance, gait and kinesiophobia in type 2 diabetic individuals with neuropathy. In order to contribute to the literature, 40 type 2 diabetic individuals with neuropathy who applied to the Turgut Ozal Medical Center Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Polyclinic will be included in this randomized controlled study. After diabetic foot training is given to all participants, an experimental (20) and a control (20) group will be formed with a sequential random method. Foot sensory training will be given to the experimental group, while no intervention will be made to the control group, and sensory training will be given to the participants who wish after the study is completed. All participants will be evaluated for subscapular sense, functional performance, balance, walking and kinesiophobia at the beginning and end of the training. Subscapular sense will be evaluated with light touch, two-point discrimination and vibration tests. Functional performance evaluation will be made with timed up and go test and timed stair ascent-descend test. Kinesiophobia will be analyzed with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, Balance; One-Legged Stand Test and Y balance tests and walking will be analyzed with Kinect V2 camera based software. Physical activity levels will be evaluated with International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. The data taken into the research will be analyzed with SPSS (Statistical Program in Social Sciences) program. The values belonging to the data will be expressed with percentage, mean and standard devia