Background: Balance dysfunction is one of the problems in diabetic patients so that peripheral neuropathy and decreased somatosensory sensitivity are the most important causes for it. One of the supposed theories for diabetic peripheral neuropathy is reduction in blood flow secondary to pathologies of peripheral neural arterioles. Intermittent Pneumatic Compression, regarding to its effect on vessels hemodynamics and perfusion improvements, has been considered in recent years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of this method on improvement of neuropathy signs and symptoms improvement in patients with type 2 Diabetes and neuropathy. Also, regarding to the role of neuropathy on balance impairment, other aim of this study is to investigate the effect of this method on improvement of dynamic balance in diabetic patients. Methods: This study is a clinical trial study. 39 patients with diabetes type 2 and neuropathy divided into intervention (20 patients) and control (19 patients) groups. The intervention group underwent 10 sessions of IPC treatment, with 45 minutes for each session and one day interval between them. Neuropathy severity changes (by Valk and Michigan Questionnaires), Proprioceptive sensation (assessed by Diapason), and balance (by Biodex system), were evaluated in both groups in first and final sessions. Results: Anterior-Posterior Stability Index and Overall Stability Index obtained from Biodex system in level 6 showed significant changes. Vibration sensation, and Valk and Michigan neuropathy questionnaires also showed significant improvements (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that IPC treatment method has positive effects on improvement of neuropathy severity, Vibration sensation and dynamic stability (Biodex).

Keywords: Diabetic Neuropathy, Intermittent Pneumatic Compression method, Michigan, Balance

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