Comparison between sensory stimulation techniques at different textures and contrast bath on improving plantar sensitivity in patients with diabetes type 2

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DM2) is considered one of the major public health problems. Thus, one of the long-term complications is related to changes in sensitivity, especially in the foot region. Objective: To compare the effects between sensory stimulation techniques in different textures and the contrast bath to improve plantar sensitivity of type 2 diabetic individuals. Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial, in which the individuals were included by order of adherence by lottery, being 6 participants in the circuit with stations in different textures (GDT) and 6 participants in the contrast bath relay (GBC) with mean age of 63 ± 12 and 56 ± 11 years. The sensory evaluation was performed in 9 points of the feet before and after 24 physiotherapeutic interventions, being applied 5 days a week. Results: Both the GDT and GBC techniques showed significant improvement, with the value of p < 0.0001 comparing the before and after. The variable between the groups obtained the result of p < 0.0258. Conclusion: It was possible to identify that both techniques promoted the return of plantar sensitivity significantly, showing that the contrast bath technique was more effective compared to the protocol variable of different textures.