Feldenkrais vs. Task Oriented Gait Training on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

NCT07616661 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TUF/EIRB/ 221 /26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) causes balance problems, falls, and sensory loss in the feet. This study compares two non-drug exercise programs to see which works better. The first program is Feldenkrais exercises, which focus on movement awareness and retraining the brain. The second program is Task Oriented Gait Training, which practices specific walking tasks. Researchers will measure balance, joint position sense, touch sensation, fear of falling, and quality of life. Forty participants will be split into two groups. The study will last 12 weeks.

Conditions

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Keywords

Feldenkrais; Task Oriented Gait Training; Balance; Proprioception; Neuropathy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Berg Balance Scale Score

  The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) measures static and dynamic balance. It contains 14 items scored from 0 to 4. Total score ranges from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate better balance.

  Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

• Change in Ankle Joint Proprioception

  Measured using the Joint Position Sense Test (JPST) with a goniometer. The participant actively reproduces a target joint angle. The difference in degrees between the target and the reproduction is recorded. Smaller differences indicate better proprioception.

  Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

• Change in Tactile Sensation

  Measured using the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament (10g). The filament is applied to 10 sites on the plantar surface of the foot. The number of correctly detected applications out of 10 is recorded. Higher scores indicate better sensation.

  Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Cumulative Somatosensory Impairment Index (CSII)

  Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

• Change in Fear of Falling

  Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

• Change in Quality of Life

  Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

• Self-Awareness Learning Adherence

  Week 12

Study Arms (2)

Feldenkrais Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform Feldenkrais exercises for 40 minutes per session, focusing on somatosensory re-education, axial movements, and balance.

Other: Feldenkrais Exercises; Other: baseline warm up and cool down Exercises

Task Oriented Gait Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants perform Task Oriented Gait Training for 45 minutes per session, focusing on functional tasks like walking on surfaces, changing directions, and obstacle negotiation.

Other: Task Oriented Gait Training; Other: baseline warm up and cool down Exercises

Interventions

baseline warm up and cool down Exercises OTHER

Warm up exercises: Warm up exercises before the start of training exercises for about ten minutes. These include: • Leg swings (forward and backward) • Side to side leg swings • Leg kicks 20 reps/side • Standing on tip toes • Mild stretching Cool down exercises: Cool Down exercises after the end of training exercises for about ten minutes to induce relaxation. These include: • Deep breathing exercise • Abdominal breathing exercise • Leg swings • Standing on tip toes • Mild stretching

Feldenkrais Exercises; Task Oriented Gait Training

Feldenkrais Exercises OTHER

This intervention includes 16 specific movement lessons (e.g., turning improvement, weight transference, sensing the feet, walking in tandem). The protocol is derived from Mazuelas et al. 2024. Sessions are 40 minutes, twice a week for 12 weeks, guided by a physiotherapist.

Feldenkrais Exercises

Task Oriented Gait Training OTHER

This intervention includes functional tasks such as walking with reduced base of support, obstacle crossing, and ramp walking. The protocol is derived from Salsabili et al. 2015. Sessions are 45 minutes, twice a week for 12 weeks.

Task Oriented Gait Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 45 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age ranges from 45-55 years
• Diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Suffered from a fall in last 6 months
• MNSI Questionnaire scored \> 2/13
• MNSI physical assessment scored \> 4/10
• BMI = 18.5 - 29.9
• Controlled blood glucose level
• Berg Balance scale = 21-40
• Willingness to participate and provide consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of ulcers at foot
• Lower leg amputation
• Charcot foot
• Retinopathy
• Hypertension
• Already receiving rehabilitation
• History of trauma or fracture
• Any related orthopedic conditions
• CVS related conditions
• Autonomic neuropathy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Cool-Down Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Post-Exercise Recovery Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 1, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 28, 2026
• Last Updated: June 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)