Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has become more prevalent in the United States population. Complications due to DM include chronic hyperglycemia if the disease is not managed appropriately and can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Diminished sensation, proprioception, and kinesthesia are all resultants of peripheral neuropathy that can cause persons to feel off balanced and at an increased risk of falls. Evaluation of balance and gait are important areas for Physical Therapists to look at to appropriately determine patient deficits due to peripheral neuropathy. Purpose: This case study looks at three useful outcome measures that can help to establish a baseline and monitor improvements in this patient population over time. Outcomes: The three outcome measures used include the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and the Activities- specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale) to measure improvement in physical therapy interventions in an elderly man with peripheral neuropathy over 6 visits. Upon discharge the patient had improved on all outcome measures, self-reported a decrease in fear of falling, and improved awareness of his deficits. Discussion: Physical Therapists can help patients with patients with peripheral neuropathy to teach compensations, improve strength and range of motion, and educate patients on the effects of decreased sensation and their risk of increased falls. The use of outcome measures to track improvement can be useful in developing meaningful treatments to improve a patient’s quality of life and help achieve their goals.
Dissertation
The Use of Thee Standardized Outcome Measures to assess Improvement in a Man with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Study
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Autumn 2017
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Use of Thee Standardized Outcome Measures to assess Improvement in a Man with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Study
- Creators
- Katherine Blocker - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Laura Frey Law (Advisor)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2017
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 7 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2017 Katherine Blocker
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984109927602771
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