COMPARATIVE EFFECTS BETWEEN WALKING MEDITATION AND MASSAGEON PERIPHERAL BLOOD CIRCULATION AND NEUROPATHIC SYMPTOMSIN PERSONS WITH TYPE-2 DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy are common complications causing foot ulcers and amputation risk in type-2 diabetes (DM). This study aimed to compare the effects of walking meditation (WM) and massage (M) on peripheral blood flow, neuropathic symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in persons with type-2 DM. Twenty-six participants, both men and women with type-2 DM aged between 42-69 years were randomized into WM (n=8), M (n=9) and control (n=9) groups. WM and M groups engaged in 4 weeks of practice (30 min/day, 3 days/week). Peripheral blood flow was assessed by doppler ultrasound. Neuropathic symptoms represented by the perception of pressure and vibration senses. The QoL was assessed by WHOQOL-BREF-THAI. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics. The results showed that, at post-intervention, WM and M groups showed improvement of peripheral blood flow when compared to baseline and also higher than the control group significantly (p-