NCT07274735

Combined Effects of INF and OEP in Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Combined Effect Of Intraneural Facilitation Therapy And Otago Exercise On Pain, Balance And Quality Of Life In Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 65 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 50 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

DPN often leads to balance issues, sensory deficits, and chronic pain, which can severely impact daily functioning and independence. INF therapy aims to improve nerve blood flow and alleviate neuropathic symptoms through manual techniques, while the Otago Exercise Program focuses on enhancing strength and balance to reduce fall risk. By comparing these two interventions, this study seeks to identify effective strategies that can improve balance, reduce pain, and enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from DPN

Detailed description

This study addresses a gap in existing literature by comparing the effects of intraneural facilitation therapy and Otago exercise in improving balance, pain and QOL among DPN patients. While both Intraneural Facilitation (INF) therapy and the Otago Exercise Program have been acknowledged for their individual benefits, their comparative effectiveness in the context of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has not been adequately explored. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining which intervention more effectively improves quality of life, reduces pain, and enhances balance in DPN patients, thus providing essential insights for optimizing treatment approaches.

Conditions

• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Intraneural facilitation therapy	The intervention will consist of 24 sessions delivered three times per week over eight weeks, with each session lasting 50-60 minutes. Effects will be measured at baseline (before treatment), after the 4th week and after 8th week (post treatment)
OTHER	Otago exercise program	Otago exercise training was conducted 3 times a week for a total of 50 min per session, including 5 min of warm-up and 5 min of cool-down. Effects will be measured at baseline, at 4th weeks and at 8th week. The exercises consisted of the following strengthening exercises: knee extensors, knee flexors, hip abductors, ankle plantar flexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. The balance retraining exercises consisted of the following: knee bends, backwards walking, walking and turning around, sideways walking, tandem stance, tandem walk, one leg stand, heel walking, toe walking, heel toe walking backwards, and sit to stand
OTHER	Intraneural facilitation therapy with Otago exercise program	The exercise intervention will be an 8 week, 3xweek, and 50-60 min class following the 20-30min OEP curriculum with 20-30 min /sessions of intraneural facilitation therapy per week. Effects will be measured at baseline, at 4th weeks and at 8th week

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-17
• Primary completion: 2026-01-17
• Completion: 2026-01-17
• First posted: 2025-12-10
• Last updated: 2025-12-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan