Effect of Warm Foot Bath on Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy of Elderly with Diabetes: Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy(DPN) is a common complication of diabetes that affects the quality of life of patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of warm foot bath on peripheral sensory neuropathy of elderly with diabetes.Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Yazd Diabetes Research Center, Iran, in 2018. Eligible sample included 66 elderly selected with convenience sampling. Then the patients were randomly assigned to the routine care group (A; n = 33) or experimental (the routine care plus warm foot bath )group (n = 33). warm foot bath was administered for 20 min session every other day, totaling 8 times during two weeks. Neuropathy were measured in three times (before, two and four weeks after intervention) by Michigan questionnaire and examination. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.Results: The results showed that the mean score of neuropathy with the Michigan questionnaire in the experimental group at before, two and four weeks after intervention were 7.24، 4.51، 4.39 and based on the physical exam. were 4.09, 3.12 and 2.90 ,respectively. Whereas, the mean scores in three phases in the control group with Michigan questionnaire were 7.48, 7.7 and 6.78 and by physical exam. were 4.33, 4.7 and 3.84, respectively.There was a significant difference between the mean neuropathic score in the experimental group and the control group before and after the intervention (p <0/001).Conclusion: Considering the mean changes in peripheral sensory neuropathy scores in elderly patients with diabetes using warm foot bath, this method can be recommended as an effective non-pharmacological intervention. In addition to, further research is needed in this area.