Physical Activity Helps Diabetics Afflicted With Neuropathy
By Heather Kohn, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

SAN DIEGO (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A physical activity program may significantly increase muscle strength for diabetics with neuropathy, according to preliminary research presented at the American Diabetes Association's Annual Scientific Sessions in San Diego.

Many patients with diabetes have muscle weakness and reduced mobility in their ankles, which interferes with the normal rollover of the foot while walking. This is due to neuropathy (nerve damage) associated with the disease. These factors contribute to diabetic foot lesions.

Dr. Roberto Anichini, an Italian researcher, and colleagues collected the first data on a non-pharmalogical method to help joint mobility and muscle strength in diabetics with neuropathy. Eleven diabetics with foot ulcerations or neuropathy were compared to 10 healthy people. The patients with diabetes then underwent a 12-week physical training program.

Patients performed muscle stretching and strengthening activities as well as "organic" activities, like jogging three to five times a week for between 30 and 45 minutes. Before the program started, patients with diabetes had significantly less ankle mobility and strength than the control group. But after 12 weeks of training, there was little difference between the two groups.

Dr. Anichini says although this is very preliminary data, it appears a short period of adapted physical training may significantly help joint mobility and strength. He adds the evaluation of joint mobility should be an important part of patient care.

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