EFFECT OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION ON SENSORY FUNCTION, SLEEP AND BALANCE IN SUBJECTS WITH DIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY AFFECTING LOWER LIMBS

Background And Objectives: Diabetic polyneuropathy is a common, insidious and debilitating microvascular complication causing sensory symptoms such as numbness, pain, and allodynia. It increases the risk of diabetic foot ulceration by 10 times, which can further lead to nontraumatic amputation thereby increasing fall risk. This study aimed to nd the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on sensory function, sleep quality, and balance using a neuropathy disability score, Berg balance scale, and pain and sleep questionnaire 3 index. Materials And Methods: Participants were assigned to two groups control and experimental using randomisation, with 15 subjects in each. The experimental group received PNF exercises alone while both the groups received conventional exercises. The study was conducted for 15 sessions over 3 weeks. Pre- and post-evaluation of neuropathy disability score, Berg balance scale, and pain and sleep questionnaire 3 index were performed. PNF combined with conventional exercises resulted in signicant improvements in NDS(=0.0 Results: 2), BBS (P = 0.01), and PSQ-3 (P =0.02) compared to the conventional exercises group. The study suggests that using PNF patterns Discussion: with conventional exercises can improve sensory functions, balance, and sleep quality in diabetic subjects. Fibrosis and disruptions in the transmission of data, axonal transport, as well as vasomotor and trophic functions, can occur due to the excessive pressure applied on neurons and connective tissue. The improvement attained may be due to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns and mobilizations of the peripheral nerves having similar positions and motions, which can help reduce sensory decits and improve balance and sleep quality. This study fo Conclusion: und that combining PNF with conventional exercises resulted in greater improvement of sensory function, balance, and sleep quality in subjects with diabetic polyneuropathy