Effect of Otago Exercises on Risk of Fall in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Chronic disorders, which include diabetes mellitus (DM), have been demonstrated to be associated with a higher risk of fall (ROF) among the elderly, with roughly thirty percent of those aged 65 and up reporting falls annually. Falls are a primary cause of accidental injury fatalities.
Objective: To figure out the effect of Otago exercises on risk of fall, balance, activities of daily living (ADLs), health status and cognitive function in cases with type 2 DM (T2DM).
Patients and Methods: 42 patients, were haphazardly allocated into two equal groups; the group (A) performing Otago exercises consisting of sixteen sessions, each one lasting 40 minutes (two times a week for two months), while the group (B) was the control group who performed walking with mild intensity for two months, two times per week, 30 minutes. Data obtained regarding time up and go test, Berg Balance Scale, KATZ index of independence, short form 12 health surveys and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MOCA) at the beginning of the study and following eight weeks, were compared.
Results: A significant reduction in time up and go test (TUG) and a significant increase in Berg balance scale (BBS), MOCA, physical component score (PCS), and mental component score (MCS) of SF-12 were recorded in both groups post-treatment compared to that of pretreatment (p < 0.001). A significant increase in Katz index of independence in activities of daily living (Katz ADL) was detected in group A and group B posttreatment compared with that of pretreatment (p < 0.05). A significant increase was detected in Katz ADL of group A compared with that of group B post-treatment (p = 0.02).
Conclusion: The study concluded that Otago exercises can help to minimize the ROF and enhance balance, ADL, health condition and the cognitive function in cases with T2DM.