Home-based Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Effects of a Home-based Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Conjunction With Tendon Gliding Exercises on Sensorimotor Function in Upper Extremity of Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

In this research work, the concept of strengthening technique of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) incorporated with tendon gliding exercise (TGE) will be used to improve neuromuscular function of upper extremity of patients with diabetes mellitus. The first specific aim of the study is to examine the effects of home-based PNF exercise on the motor, sensation and functional performance parameters of upper extremity of the patients with diabetes mellitus. In addition, whether adding a tendon gliding exercise (TGE) to the home-based PNF exercises can provide better treatment effects for the patients with diabetes mellitus will also been investigated in this study. One of the hypothesis of this study is the prescribing home-based PNF exercise program has a positive treatment effect on neuromuscular function of the upper extremity of patients with diabetes mellitus. And,the other is home-based PNF in conjunction with TGE provides better benefits for neuromuscular function of the upper extremity of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Study participants will include clinically defined diabetic patients who are diagnosed based on the 1997 criteria of the American Diabetes Association. The inclusion criteria of the enrolled subjects are who suffered from neuropathy as diagnosed by abnormalities in either a nerve conduction study and / or quantitative sensory testing.

Exclusion Criteria:

• DM patients with (1) traumatic nerve injuries of the upper limbs, (2) trauma to the hand or congenital anomalies of the wrist and hand, (3) skin infections or disease, (4) known vascular complications of diabetes, such as stroke may have compromised the physical integrity of the patient, (5) grade 2 or higher arterial hypertension (>160/100 mmHg) or (6) cognitive deficits