Evaluation of ankle joint proprioception and balance in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy subjects

Background: Joint proprioception plays an important role in limb movement and awareness of position sense. Diabetes has a lot of complications such as loss of sensory function, which can lead to impaired balance, thus the aim of this study to evaluated joint proprioception and balance in diabetic patients

Methods: Twenty type II diabetic patients and 20 healthy controls participated in this case-controlled study. Standing balance in various positions and ankle joint proprioception were measured. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and chi-square test

Results: It was observed that the ankle joint proprioception and balance in diabetic patients were significantly less than control groups. [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Joint proprioception and balance functions impair in diabetic patients. Thus improvement of joint proprioception for prevention of fall is important

Potential role of thermal therapy as an adjunct treatment in congestive heart failure

The clinical and economic importance of heart failure is widely recognized. The incidence of heart failure is on the increase, particularly with the aging of the population around the world. It is time for a paradigm shift in heart failure management. Alternative non-pharmacological strategies to remodel the failing ventricle will shape a major portion of heart failure therapy in the decade ahead. Exposure to heat is widely used as a traditional therapy in many cultures. In this paper, we will review recent data that suggest thermal therapy may be helpful as an adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment for heart failure