Development and Comparative Efficacy of Lagos Neuropathy Protocol for Improving Recovery of Symptom and Functional...

Diabetic peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DPSP) has been treated with sketchy outcomes and available approaches are not applicable for self-administration. This study developed protocol for managing symptoms of DPSP and assessed its comparative efficacy.

Study developed Lagos Neuropathy Protocol (LNP) through existing concept in DPSP and tested its safety, clinical applicability, and ease of self-administration. Its efficacy was compared with Buerger-Allen Exercise (BAE) by involving 31(11males) with DPSP, randomized into LNP and BAE and treated for 10-week. Toronto Clinical Scoring System was used to diagnose DPSP while Diabetic Neuropathy Examination was used to diagnose distal polyneuropathy. Sensory/pressure perception was assessed using 10 g-monofilament while Short Physical Performance Battery, Bergs Balance Scale and Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess functional performance, strength and balance, and pain respectively.

LNP has three domains: sensory/pressure/proprioception, strength/balance, and pain/swelling. Most (80%) of the participants rated the LNP as excellently safe while the rest (20%) rated as very good in safety. All the participants rated LNP excellent in terms of self-administration and suitability for clinical use without adverse effect. The mean age of the participants for the comparative phase was 66.20±9.48years while their length of diagnoses of diabetes was 15.80±13.35years. About a third (32.5%) had DPSP. Both LNP and BAE had significant improvement (p<0.05) in sensory/pressure perception, pain, strength and balance, and functional performance but LNP had better significant improvement.

LNP is safe, good for self-administration, clinically applicable and efficacious in improving sensory/pressure perception, balance, pain and functional performances in individuals with DPSP.