Effects of spinal orthosis with joints providing resistive force on walking ability in patients with diabetic neuropathy - a single case design

<p>Objective : To evaluate the combined effects of exercise therapy and Trunk Solution Core (TSC), a combined with a spinal orthosis with joints providing resistive force, in patients with diabetic neuropathy (DN).</p><p>Methods: The subject was a male DN patient in his 40s undergoing hemodialysis therapy. The study used an AB-type single-case design: Phase A was the conventional practice phase in which the patient practiced walking, and Phase B was the intervention phase in which the patient used the TSC for walking practice. The intervention period was 2 weeks for both periods, with a total practice frequency of 3 times per week on non-dialysis days for a total of 4 weeks. An evaluation was based on the difference in comfortable walking speed and the modified Borg Scale before and after the intervention. Effectiveness was visually analyzed using the standard deviation band method.</p><p>Results: The mean values of walking speed (m/s) and the difference of modified Borg scale were [0.7±0.1/1.0±0.1] and [3.5±0.8/2.3±0.8], respectively, in each period [Period A/Period B].</p><p>Conclusion: The use of TSC in patient with DN associated with hemodialysis therapy resulted in less fatigue and improved walking ability.</p>