title: Effect of balance training with Biodex Stability System on balance in diabetic neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Diabetic neuropathy (DN) in the elderly is a common complication of diabetes that can negatively influence balance control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of balance training program on postural stability of diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized clinical trial, 34 elderly DN patients were divided into intervention (n = 17) and control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group underwent a balance training program using the Biodex Balance System (BBS) for 10 sessions. All subjects in both groups were assessed using timed 'up and go' (TUG) test, the Berg balance scale, and the fall risk and postural stability tests, at baseline and at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TUG (p = 0.01), fall risk index (p = 0.002), anterior/posterior index (p = 0.01), medial/lateral index (p = 0.04), overall stability index (p = 0.01) and Berg balance scale (p = 0.04) were significantly improved after the training in the intervention group, but had no significant differences in the control group. The changes in TUG (p < 0.001) and fall risk index (p < 0.001) in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, balance training would improve postural stability and balance in elderly patients with DN.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Bina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eftekhar-Sadat
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Roghayyeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azizi
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Metabolism Section, Imam Reza Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Akbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aliasgharzadeh
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Ave., Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahideh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Toopchizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghojazadeh
keywords: balance indices; balance instability; balance training; diabetes; neuropathy