Assessment of the upper limb and peripheral neuropathy in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus - implications for rehabilitation

• Grant number: 24/01060-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: November 15, 2024
• End date: December 14, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Paula Rezende Camargo
• Grantee: Paula Rezende Camargo
• Visiting researcher: Donald Anthony Neumann
• Visiting researcher institution: Marquette University, United States
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has already been associated with musculoskeletal alterations and pain in the shoulder. Peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common complication of DM that can contribute to the occurrence of several disorders. PDN is more commonly studied and better understood in the lower limbs. The manifestation of PDN in the upper limbs, as well as the development of pain and dysfunction in the shoulder of these individuals is still unclear in the literature. The objectives of this study will be: 1) to compare shoulder pain and function between individuals with DM with PDN, without PDN and controls, and 2) to evaluate how the signs and symptoms of PDN occur in the upper limbs of individuals with DM. One hundred and eleven individuals will participate in the study and will be divided to one of the three groups: Group 1 - 37 individuals with DM and PDN; Group 2 - 37 individuals with DM without PDN; Group 3 - 37 controls without DM and without neuropathy. PDN in the lower limbs and upper limbs, shoulder pain and function, active and passive range of motion (flexion, internal and external rotation), shoulder muscle function by isometric contraction of the shoulder flexors, internal and external rotators, and serratus anterior, functional performance of the upper limb by the Timed Functional Arm and Shoulder Test (TFAST) will be evaluated in all participants. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The ANOVA One-Way or Kruskal-Wallis statistical test will be used, according to the data distribution, to compare the groups. Pearson or Spearman correlation test will also be used to analyze the association between the manifestation of PDN in the lower limbs and in the upper limbs. For all analyses, the significance level will be set at 5%. (AU)