Task oriented training improves the balance outcome and reducing fall risk in diabetic population

Objectives: the objective was to determine the balance impairments and to compare task oriented versus traditional balance training in fall reduction among diabetic patients. methods: the randomized control trial with descriptive survey and 196 diabetic patients were recruited to assess balance impairments through purposive sampling technique. eighteen patients were randomly allocated into two groups; task oriented balance training group tob (n=8) and traditional balance training group tbt (n=10). the inclusion criteria were 30-50 years age bracket and diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus with neuropathy. the demographics were taken through standardized & valid assessment tools include berg balance scale and functional reach test. the measurements were obtained at baseline,after 04 and 08 weeks of training. results: the mean age of the participants was 49 ±6.79. the result shows that 165(84%) were at moderate risk of fall and 31(15%) were at mild risk of fall among total 196 diabetic patients. there was significant improvement (p <0.05) in task oriented balance training group for dynamic balance,anticipatory balance and reactive balance after 8 weeks of training as compare to traditional balance training. conclusion: task oriented balance training is effective in improving the dynamic,anticipator and reactive balance. the task oriented training reduces the risk of falling through enhancing balance outcome. © 2016,pakistan journal of medical sciences. all rights reserved.