The effect of an 8-week aerobic exercise training program on the distribution patterns of foot plantar pressure in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Decreased sense of joint movement and position (i.e., proprioceptive sense) due to peripheral neuropathy can cause such deficits as changed gait, modified foot plantar pressure distribution and, as a consequence of these processes, increased pressure beneath metatarsal bones. By the time, extra pressure may increase the risk of plantar ulcer. The aim of present study was to assess the effect of an 8-week aerobic exercise training program on foot plantar pressure distribution during gait in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 30 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy participated in this study. Subjects were divided into experimental (mean age: 55.85 ± 9.07 years; mean BMI: 29.50 ± 10.09 Kg/m2) and control (mean age: 54.66 ± 5.53 years; mean BMI: 31.55 ± 4.26 Kg/m2) groups. To measure maximum foot plantar pressure during gait, foot scan (RSscan) was carried out for 10 anatomical references points of foot prior to and after implementing the intervention program. Experimental group was provided with three one-hour aerobic exercise sessions a week for 8 weeks. Control group did not participate in any exercise program. Obtained data was statistically analyzed via ANOVA with repeated measures. Comparing pre- and post-test results, pressure differences were significant in the experimental group (P ≤ 0.05) while no such difference was found in the control group. Based on the study results, aerobic exercise can decrease foot plantar pressure in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and may decrease the risk of developing plantar ulcer due to the abnormal distribution of pressure in metatarsal area.