Efficacy of wobble board as a therapeutic tool in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients: A review study

Abstract

Introduction: DPN is described as "symmetrical, length-dependent sensorimotor polyneuropathy as a result of chronic hyperglycemia exposure and cardiovascular risk covariates" by the Toronto Consensus Panel on Diabetic Neuropathy. In DPN, postural instability and imbalance are frequently observed. Deficits in proprioception and abnormalities of the motor nerves cause imbalance and poor muscle contraction. Physiotherapists use a variety of methods to evaluate and apply balance rehabilitation therapies. The wobble board exercise teaches about the motor strategies and is linked to the patterns of muscle activation that happen when someone is standing on a wobble board surface that suddenly tilts or translates, which increases ankle proprioception.

Objective: The objective of this review study is to find out the effectiveness of wobble board training in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients.

Method: An electronic database, title and abstract search was conducted between 2010 and 2022 using Google Scholar, PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Cochrane databases. The search terms used were "diabetes mellitus", "type 2 diabetes", "diabetic neuropathy", "diabetic peripheral neuropathy", "balance", "gait", "fall risk", "proprioception",  "postural stability", “wobble board training”. Articles that assessed effects of wobble board training in DPN patients were included. Studies other than wobble board exercise and published before 2010 were excluded. Studies were double-checked and only full-text articles were used in the review. A total of 14 studies were selected that demonstrated the effectiveness of wobble board exercise in patients with DPN. These studies are explored narratively.