Whole body vibration showed beneficial effect on pain, balance measures and quality of life in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of whole body vibration (WBV) therapy on pain, neuropathy disability score, balance, proprioception and quality of life (QOL) in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN).

METHODS

Twenty-six (16 males and 10 females) patients with PDPN were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were randomly allocated to an experimental group ( = 13, age = 60.69 ± 5.08) and a control group (n = 13, age = 59.54 ± 4.25). The experimental group was given WBV therapy for six weeks (3 days/week) in addition to standard medical care, dietary advice and lifestyle modifications. Control group was provided only standard medical care, dietary advice and lifestyle modifications. Outcome measures included numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS), vibration perception threshold (VPT), neuropathy disability score (NDS), proprioception, single-leg stance test (SLST), timed up and go test TUGT) and short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36).

RESULTS

NPRS, LANSS, NDS, SLST and TUGT showed significant time effect ( ≤ 0.022) and time×group interaction ( ≤ 0.007), whereas group effect was found to be significant only in LANSS ( = 0.001). VPT showed significant group effect ( ≤ 0.045) and time×group interaction ( ≤ 0.007) at great toe, metatarsal head and total average score. SF-36 was found to be significant time effect ( ≤ 0.024) in all domains except limitations due to physical health ( = 0.461). SF-36 average score was found be significant for group effect ( = 0.002) and time×group interaction ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

WBV improves sensory sensations like pain and vibration perception, neuropathy disability score, balance measures and health-related QOL in PDPN.