Balance, Gait, Functionality and Fall Occurrence in Adults and Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Peripheral Neuropathy.

Background: Body balance is regulated by sensory information from the vestibular, visual and somatosensory systems, and changes in one or more of these sensory systems can trigger balance disorders. Individuals with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) often present peripheral neuropathy, a condition that alters foot sensory information and can negatively influence balance and gait performance of these subjects.

Objective: To evaluate and compare balance, gait, functionality and the occurrence of falls between individuals with and without a clinical diagnosis of DM2 with associated peripheral neuropathy.