title: Task oriented training improves the balance outcome & reducing fall risk in diabetic population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to determine the balance impairments and to compare task oriented versus traditional balance training in fall reduction among diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The randomized control trial with descriptive survey and 196 diabetic patients were recruited to assess balance impairments through purposive sampling technique. Eighteen patients were randomly allocated into two groups; task oriented balance training group TOB (n=8) and traditional balance training group TBT (n=10). The inclusion criteria were 30-50 years age bracket and diagnosed cases of Diabetes Mellitus with neuropathy. The demographics were taken through standardized & valid assessment tools include Berg Balance Scale and Functional Reach Test. The measurements were obtained at baseline, after 04 and 08 weeks of training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the participants was 49 ±6.79. The result shows that 165(84%) were at moderate risk of fall and 31(15%) were at mild risk of fall among total 196 diabetic patients. There was significant improvement (p <0.05) in task oriented balance training group for dynamic balance, anticipatory balance and reactive balance after 8 weeks of training as compare to traditional balance training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Task oriented balance training is effective in improving the dynamic, anticipator and reactive balance. The task oriented training reduces the risk of falling through enhancing balance outcome.
authors.affiliation: Javeria Ghazal, Post Graduate Trainee, Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Javeria
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ghazal
authors.affiliation: Dr. Arshad Nawaz Malik, Associate Professor, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Arshad Nawaz
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: Dr. Imran Amjad, Assistant Professor, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Amjad
keywords: Berg balance test; Diabetes mellitus; Fall risk; Task oriented balance training