Assessment of Lower Extremity Muscle Strength in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients Measured by Handheld Dynamometer

Aims The aim was to investigate lower extremity muscle strength by a handheld dynamometer and to assess the possible correlation between fear of falling and muscle strength in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Materials Methods In this cross-sectional study, 15 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy were evaluated based on the Michigan neuropathy screening instrument, and ten healthy control were enrolled. The study was performed in the clinical and research center of Tarbiat Modares University’s movement disorders between February and May 2020. Fall efficacy scale-International was completed to assess fear of falling. Muscle strength of the peroneus longus, tibilalis anterior, gastrosoleus, Hamstring, vastus lateralis, quadriceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and hip abductors of the dominant (right) lower extremity was measured by a handheld dynamometer. SPSS 22 was used for data processing. An independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis were used to analyze data. Findings There was a moderate and negative correlation between fall efficacy scale-International and gastrosoleus time to peak (r=-0.0607; p=0.016), and a strong correlation between fall efficacy scale-International and Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (r=0.709; B=1.829; p=0.003). All the time-to-peak force results were higher in diabetic peripheral neuropathy than healthy control and became significant in tibilalis anterior, quadriceps femoris, and gluteus maximus (p 0.05). The augmented force of the gluteus maximus was significantly lower in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (p=0.021). Conclusion Gastrosoleus rate of force development has a negative correlation with fear of falling. Fall efficacy scale-International and Michigan neuropathy screening instruments have a strong correlation.