Age-Related Difference in Proprioception, Muscle Strength and Balance in Diabetic Patient

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder that has a high prevalence in Malaysia. Diabetes mellitus can lead to several complications such as muscle weakness, imbalance and declination of proprioception. Nowadays, diabetes mellitus not only present in middle and older age people but also younger people. Objective: To measure the age-related difference in proprioception, balance, and lower limb muscle strength among diabetic patients. Methods: 120 diabetic subjects are collected. These subjects are divided into 3 groups: young age (20-34 years), middle-aged (35-55 years) and old age (56-70 years). In each group consisted of 20 males and 20 females of diabetic patients. The sampling method was a purposive sampling method. Every subject was assessed for their lower limb muscle, measurement of angle deviation between reference angle and absolute angle of knee proprioception, and balance measurement using Functional Reach Test as measurement guidance. The assessment for each subject is estimated to be one hour.  Data analysis: Data collected is using IBM SPSS Statistic 21 for analyzing the data. For statistical analysis of balance and lower limb muscle strength, ANOVA one-way test was used. While for proprioception data, the Kruskal-Wallis test was being applied.  Result: Result shown in general balance, muscle strength and proprioception decline as age increases. For proprioception, the percentage of declination is significantly shown in middle and old age group. (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Aging and diabetes will cause a reduction of balance, muscle strength and proprioception. Early rehabilitation should be prescribed which can act as early prevention for fall.