Objective: To investigate the effects of a cognitive behavioural intervention targeting specific fears in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, on physical activity and quality of life.

Intervention: Graded Exposure in vivo (GEXP) is a second-generation cognitive-behavioural intervention, and is characterized by systematic and repeated exposure to feared movements, activities and/or sensations in order to decrease fear and subsequently increase physical activity.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The purpose of this project is to develop and test a cognitive behavioural intervention targeting specific fears in patients with PDN, in order to increase physical activity and improve QOL.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with type II diabetes mellitus,
• aged > 18 years who suffer from peripheral polyneuropathy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with lower limb morbidities other than PDN such as peripheral arterial disease
• severe osteoarthritis, any other neurological disease than PDN or any other disease that may cause pain in the feet and/or damage to the peripheral nervous system (e.g. ulcers).