To Study and Compare Postural Sway by Romberg Test in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a silent disorder leading to disabling and fatal complications. The long-term complications of diabetes affect almost every system in the body. Balance impairment and postural instability is also observed in people having chronic diabetes which is a result of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and vestibular dysfunctions.

Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the effect of chronic diabetes on postural sway by Romberg’s test and thereby finding effects of diabetes on balance and stability.

Method: 60 participants both male and female between 40 to 60 years of age were included. The participants were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic group (n=30). All the participants performed Romberg’s test. Their postural sway was observed and subsequently Romberg’s sign was noted. The procedure is repeated again two more times to find out average Romberg’s sign.

Results: The data shows a significant difference in postural sway between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. The chi-square value computed for this comparison was 5.406, yielding a p-value of 0.020. The p-value was below the conventional significance threshold of 0.05, indicating a statistically significant association between diabetes status and the presence of postural sway. Diabetic individuals were significantly more likely to exhibit signs of impaired balance compared to non-diabetic individuals, as evidenced by the highly significant chi-square test result. This finding highlights the impact of diabetes on balance and stability.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that postural sway and instability was more common in diabetic subjects as compare to non-diabetic subjects between 40 to 60 years of age. Additionally, this study suggested that patients having diabetes should take measures to prevent postural instability, balance impairments and other complications of diabetes.