Journal of
Diabetes Nursing
Volume 13, Issue 3 (9-2025)
J Diabetes Nurs 2025, 13(3): 63-72 |
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Research code: IRCT20230429058020N1
Ethics code: IR.IAU.TMU.REC.1402.034
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Tabarsi B, Agharazi M, Salehi S. Investigating the Effect of Foot Exercises on Diabetic Foot Neuropathy Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Diabetes Nurs 2025; 13 (3) :63-72
URL: http://jdn.zbmu.ac.ir/article-1-642-en.html
URL: http://jdn.zbmu.ac.ir/article-1-642-en.html
Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. , Tabarsi1383@gmail.com
Abstract: (537 Views)
Introduction: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Controlling and managing diabetic neuropathy are primary goals of therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to determine the effect of foot exercise training on diabetic foot neuropathy pain in patients referred to a selected treatment center affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design, 60 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Study instruments included a demographic and diabetes indicators questionnaire and the standard Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Participants in the intervention group performed a set of exercises comprising three different categories of foot movements with 8-10 repetitions each, individually for three days per week over 12 consecutive weeks. At home, these exercises were performed 2-3 times daily, 10 repetitions each time, with a gradual increase in frequency. The control group received only the center's routine care. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.
Results: The mean pain intensity in the intervention group decreased from 3.95 ± 0.84 before the intervention to 1.33 ± 0.69 after the intervention. The findings indicated a greater reduction in neuropathic pain in the intervention group, demonstrating the effect of the exercises. Before the intervention, 43.3% of patients in the intervention group reported moderate pain and 56.7% reported mild pain. After the intervention, all patients' pain level had shifted to mild. This reduction was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Performing foot exercises is effective in reducing neuropathic pain and its interference with patients' daily life activities. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses in foot care and diabetes clinics provide training on foot exercises and follow up on their regular performance.
Results: The mean pain intensity in the intervention group decreased from 3.95 ± 0.84 before the intervention to 1.33 ± 0.69 after the intervention. The findings indicated a greater reduction in neuropathic pain in the intervention group, demonstrating the effect of the exercises. Before the intervention, 43.3% of patients in the intervention group reported moderate pain and 56.7% reported mild pain. After the intervention, all patients' pain level had shifted to mild. This reduction was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Performing foot exercises is effective in reducing neuropathic pain and its interference with patients' daily life activities. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses in foot care and diabetes clinics provide training on foot exercises and follow up on their regular performance.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Care plan for diabetic foot
Received: 2024/08/24 | Accepted: 2025/11/26 | Published: 2026/02/2
Received: 2024/08/24 | Accepted: 2025/11/26 | Published: 2026/02/2
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