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Sensori-motor function in older persons with diabetes
S R Lord1, G A Caplan, R Colagiuri
1School of Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
Summary
Older adults with diabetes exhibit poorer balance and sensory-motor function, increasing their fall risk. This highlights the need for interventions addressing stability in diabetic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic condition affecting older adults.
- Sensory-motor deficits are common in aging populations and can be exacerbated by diabetes.
- Falls are a significant concern for older adults, leading to injury and reduced independence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of diabetes on sensory-motor function and body sway in older adults.
- To compare the performance of individuals with diabetes to age- and sex-matched controls.
- To identify specific sensory-motor factors associated with impaired balance in older adults with diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Assessed tactile sensitivity, vibration sense, proprioception, quadriceps strength, and body sway in 25 older adults with diabetes and 40 controls.
- Controlled for weight and body mass index in statistical analyses.
- Examined correlations between diabetes duration, vibration sense, and body sway.
Main Results:
- Diabetic individuals showed significantly worse body sway on both firm and compliant surfaces compared to controls.
- Female diabetic subjects exhibited poorer peripheral sensation and strength.
- Age-related declines in sensory-motor function were more pronounced in the diabetic group.
Conclusions:
- Older adults with diabetes experience impaired stability due to sensory-motor deficits.
- These deficits increase the risk of falls in this population.
- Diabetes duration and impaired vibration sense are linked to poorer balance, particularly on compliant surfaces.