Reviews
Physical Therapy for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Narrative Review
Authors:
Nizar Abdul Majeedkutty ,
Department of Physiotherapy, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long, MY
About Nizar Abdul
The author holds a Masters degree in Physiotherapy from Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He is a senior lecturer at the Department of Physiotherapy, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia. His research areas include multi-sensory reweighting, addiction disorders and plyometrics.
He has presented his research findings in many international conferences and has published articles in prolific journals.
Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Jabbar,
University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long, MY
About Mohammed Abdulrazzaq
The author holds a PhD from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Population Medicine, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia.
Sura Sreenivasulu
University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long, MY
About Sura
The author holds a Masters degree in Human Anatomy from Manipal University, India. He is a senior lecturer at the Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia.
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus in both developed and developing countries. It is found in about 10% of diabetic clients at diagnosis, and in the majority of clients 25 years down the line. Clients with pre-diabetes may also develop neuropathies that are similar to diabetic neuropathies. Long-term hyperglycemia can cause peripheral nerve damage, resulting in distal-predominant nerve fibre degeneration. Loss of feeling in the lower limbs is a high risk for limb amputation. Despite efforts to make an early diagnosis and to halt the progression of diabetic neuropathy, currently there is no effective treatment available at a global level, except for strict control of blood glucose.
Physical therapy can improve the overall quality of life of diabetes mellitus clients with peripheral neuropathy and can alleviate the symptoms of neuropathy. This paper assesses the effectiveness of interventions used by physical therapists to minimise dysfunctions in people with DPN. It reviews the different treatment strategies and presents evidence and conditions for its applications.
How to Cite:
Majeedkutty, N.A., Jabbar, M.A. and Sreenivasulu, S., 2019. Physical Therapy for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Narrative Review. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 30(1), pp.112–125. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v30i1.760
Published on
16 Aug 2019.
Peer Reviewed
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