Immediate effect of textured insoles on the balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy

Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that reduces balance by disrupting vision, and the sensory and vestibular systems. This is important in older adults who are more at risk of falling. Studies show that improving the sensory mechanisms through insoles can improve balance in people with balance disorders. As textured insoles have recently been considered for improving balance disorders, this study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of textured insoles on the balance of patients with diabetic neuropathy.

A total of 17 patients with diabetic neuropathy participated in this quasi-experimental study. The studied variables were the general balance index, posterior-anterior balance index and medial-lateral balance index, which were measured in three conditions: (i) soft textured insoles; (ii) hard textured insoles; and (iii) without textured insoles. A Biodex balance device was used for this purpose.

In the general balance index, there was a significant difference between all the studied conditions. In the posterior-anterior balance index, there was a significant difference between without textured insole and hard textured insoles, and also soft and hard textured insoles. In the medial-lateral balance index, there was a significant difference between the hard textured insoles and without textured insoles, and also soft and hard textured insoles (P < 0.05).

Wearing textured insoles can increase the balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy. This can be due to its effect on the sensory feedback of the soles, improving the proprioception and tactile sensors that are the main sources of balance.