Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
Peggy and Charles Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 2;18(5):2415. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052415.
People with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) experience a lower quality of life caused by associated pain, loss of sensation and mobility impairment. Current standard care for DPN is limited and lacking. This study explores the benefits of 4-week, in-home wearable focal muscle vibration (FMV) therapy on pain, balance, mobility, and sensation in people with DPN. Participants were randomized into three groups and received different FMV intensities. FMV was applied using a modified Myovolt wearable device to the tibialis anterior, distal quadriceps, and gastrocnemius/soleus muscles on both lower limbs for three days a week over four weeks. The outcomes included pain, balance, mobility, sensation, device usage log, feedback survey, and a semi-structured interview. In all, 23 participants completed the study. The results showed significant improvement in average pain (Pre: 4.00 ± 2.29; Post: 3.18 ± 2.26; = 0.007), pain interference with walking ability (Pre: 4.14 ± 3.20; Post: 3.09 ± 1.976; = 0.03), and standard and cognitive Timed Up-and-Go scores (Pre: 13.75 ± 5.34; Post: 12.65 ± 5.25; = 0.04; Pre: 15.12 ± 6.60; Post: 12.71 ± 5.57; = 0.003, respectively); the overall pain improvement was trending towards significance (Pre: 3.48 ± 2.56; Post: 2.87 ± 1.85; = 0.051). Balance and sensations improved but not significantly. There was a trend towards significance ( = 0.088), correlation (r = 0.382) between changes in balance and baseline pain. The participants were highly satisfied with wearable FMV and were 100% compliant. FMV therapy was associated with improved pain, mobility, and sensation. Further study with a larger sample and better outcome measures are warranted.
患有糖尿病周围神经病变（DPN）的人会因相关疼痛、感觉丧失和活动能力受损而导致生活质量下降。目前针对 DPN 的标准治疗方法有限且效果不佳。本研究探讨了为期 4 周的家庭使用可穿戴聚焦肌肉振动（FMV）疗法对 DPN 患者疼痛、平衡、移动能力和感觉的益处。参与者被随机分为三组，并接受不同的 FMV 强度。FMV 使用经过改良的 Myovolt 可穿戴设备施加于双侧下肢的胫骨前肌、远端四头肌和腓肠肌/比目鱼肌，每周 3 天，持续 4 周。结果包括疼痛、平衡、移动能力、感觉、设备使用日志、反馈调查和半结构化访谈。共有 23 名参与者完成了研究。结果显示，平均疼痛（Pre：4.00 ± 2.29；Post：3.18 ± 2.26； = 0.007）、疼痛对行走能力的干扰（Pre：4.14 ± 3.20；Post：3.09 ± 1.976； = 0.03）以及标准和认知计时起立行走测试评分（Pre：13.75 ± 5.34；Post：12.65 ± 5.25； = 0.04；Pre：15.12 ± 6.60；Post：12.71 ± 5.57； = 0.003）均有显著改善，整体疼痛改善趋势显著（Pre：3.48 ± 2.56；Post：2.87 ± 1.85； = 0.051）。平衡和感觉也有所改善，但无统计学意义。平衡变化与基线疼痛之间存在显著趋势（ = 0.088）和相关性（r = 0.382）。参与者对可穿戴 FMV 非常满意，并且 100%依从。FMV 治疗与疼痛、移动能力和感觉的改善有关。需要进一步进行更大样本和更好结局测量的研究。
