Effectiveness of Intraneural Facilitation and Buerger-Allen exercises on Pain and Quality of Life Among Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a major diabetes complication, is now a leading cause of global disability. DPN causes damage to the nerves in the hands, arms, legs and feet, and it can eventually lead to ulcers, amputation and other long-term disability. "More than 50% of individuals with type 2 diabetes develop DPN symptoms". DPN complications can negatively affect the patient’s quality of life (QOL), with impaired balance, altered gait, and increased pain. Therefore, this study study is to compare the effectiveness of Intraneural Facilitation and Buerger-Allen exercise on Pain and Quality of Life Among Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. A True Experimental design will be used for the study. The study will be carried out in selected OPDs and Physiotherapy unit of Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Concealed block sampling will be used to assign the sample in both groups. Study will be conducted by; Step 1: all patients diagnosed with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) who meets inclusion criteria will be screened for intensity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy by using QOL-DN questionnaire. Those fall under moderate to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy will be allotted in each block and further randomly assigned in both groups. Step 2: all study participants will be assessed for level of pain, quality of life and clinical parameters at pre-test. Followed by, group 1 will be given 5 weeks intraneural facilitation therapy and group 2 will be given Buerger-Allen exercise. Following therapy, assess the level of pain and quality of life at end of 3rd week of intervention (post-test 1) and level of pain, quality of life,at the end of 5th week of intervention (post-test 2). The collected data will be entered and analysed by using SPSSV.22.