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Volume 17, Issue 3 (2025)
Iran J War Public Health 2025, 17(3): 261-267 |
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Ethics code: The study followed the ethical guidelines established by the Institutional Scientific Research Board
History
Received: 2025/05/21 | Accepted: 2025/07/6 | Published: 2025/07/19
Received: 2025/05/21 | Accepted: 2025/07/6 | Published: 2025/07/19
How to cite this article
Dhanusia S, Bai P, Sahal M, Suganthirababu P, Jayaraj V, Kumar P et al . Effectiveness of Whole-Body Vibrator and Inclined Treadmill in Balance Improvement in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy. Iran J War Public Health 2025; 17 (3) :261-267
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S. Dhanusia *1, P. Bai1, M. Sahal1, P. Suganthirababu1, V. Jayaraj1, P. Kumar1, V. Srinivasan1
1- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Abstract (872 Views)
Aims: Diabetic neuropathy, present in 50% of diabetic patients, results in loss of sensation, muscle weakness, disturbances in balance, and an increased risk of falling. Balance impairment in diabetic neuropathy requires specific rehabilitation methods. New interventions, such as whole-body vibration and inclined treadmill training, offer interesting alternatives to conventional balance training. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of whole-body vibration and inclined treadmill training in enhancing balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Materials & Methods: This comparative study was conducted in a clinical private setting. Thirty patients were randomly selected through simple random sampling using the lottery method and were divided into two groups (n=15 each). Group A received whole-body vibration therapy for 25 minutes, four times a week, while Group B participated in inclined treadmill sessions for the same duration. Balance and mobility were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and the timed up and go test before and after the treatment.
Findings: Participants in the whole-body vibration group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in balance, reflected by a higher mean score of 48.67 on the Berg Balance Scale and a lower average time of 7.00 seconds on the timed up and go test. In contrast, those using the inclined treadmill showed mean scores of 41.27 and 10.00 seconds, respectively. Both differences were statistically significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Whole-body vibration and inclined treadmill training significantly improve balance, but whole-body vibration is more effective in enhancing stability and reducing fall risk.
Materials & Methods: This comparative study was conducted in a clinical private setting. Thirty patients were randomly selected through simple random sampling using the lottery method and were divided into two groups (n=15 each). Group A received whole-body vibration therapy for 25 minutes, four times a week, while Group B participated in inclined treadmill sessions for the same duration. Balance and mobility were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and the timed up and go test before and after the treatment.
Findings: Participants in the whole-body vibration group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in balance, reflected by a higher mean score of 48.67 on the Berg Balance Scale and a lower average time of 7.00 seconds on the timed up and go test. In contrast, those using the inclined treadmill showed mean scores of 41.27 and 10.00 seconds, respectively. Both differences were statistically significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Whole-body vibration and inclined treadmill training significantly improve balance, but whole-body vibration is more effective in enhancing stability and reducing fall risk.
Keywords:
References
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