International Journal of Innovative Research in Health Science

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with vascular and neurological complications of the lower extremities. Peripheral arterial disease and peripheral neuropathy can impair circulation, produce sensory symptoms and increase the risk of diabetic foot complications. Buerger-Allen exercise is an active postural exercise intended to improve lower extremity circulation through elevation, dependency and horizontal positioning. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Buerger-Allen exercise on lower extremity perfusion and peripheral neuropathy symptoms among patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A quantitative approach and quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design were adopted. The study included 30 patients with diabetes mellitus admitted in the medical wards of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital (SMVMCH), Puducherry. A random (lottery) sampling technique was reported. Lower extremity perfusion was assessed using an Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)-based assessment scale and peripheral neuropathy symptoms using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Buerger-Allen exercise was administered and pre-test and post-test scores were compared using paired t-test. Results: Before the intervention, 83.3% of patients had severe impairment/poor lower extremity perfusion and 16.7% had moderate impairment. After the intervention, 100% were classified as having moderate impairment. The mean lower extremity perfusion score decreased from 45.90 ± 3.078 to 26.57 ± 1.960, with a mean difference of 19.33 and paired t = 32.564 (p = 0.000). All patients were at high risk of peripheral neuropathy before and after the intervention. The mean peripheral neuropathy symptom score decreased from 8.90 ± 1.094 to 7.00 ± 0.695, with a mean difference of 1.900 and paired t = 8.576 (p < 0.000). Occupation was significantly associated with lower extremity perfusion (χ² = 8.210, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Buerger-Allen exercise was effective in improving lower extremity perfusion and reducing peripheral neuropathy symptom scores among patients with diabetes mellitus.