Abstract
[Purpose] This study evaluated the balance ability of patients with mild diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) using force plates during standing on a hard surface with the eyes open, and standing on a soft surface with the eyes closed, to obtain an index of postural stability (IPS) and a modified index of postural stability (MIPS), respectively. Furthermore, the decline in balance ability and the difference between these balance indices were considered. [Subjects] Twenty-seven patients without DPN (non-DPN group) and 16 patients with mild DPN (mild DPN group) were evaluated. [Methods] Using the IPS and MIPS as balance indices, the two groups were compared. In addition, the correlations between pallesthesia in all subjects and the balance indices were evaluated. [Results] In the comparison of the two groups, the mild DPN group showed a significantly lower MIPS than the no-DPN group. Only MIPS showed a significant correlation with pallesthesia. [Conclusions] Our results indicate that patients with mild DPN show a mild decline in balance ability, to which reduced bathyesthesia might contribute.
