The Effects of Exercise Interventions on Balance Capacity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The effect of exercise intervention on balance capacity among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients has not been evaluated. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effect of exercise intervention on balance capacity among T2DM patients compared to the control group (usual care, waitlist, no-treatment, education). We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane library, Web of Science (WOS) from inception to August 2020. The literature language was limited to English. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental (Q-E) trials that examined the effect of exercise intervention on balance capacity among T2DM patients were included. We used the standard methods of meta-analysis to evaluate the outcomes of exercise intervention for balance capacity of T2DM patients. A total of 14 trials (11 RCTs and 3 Q-E trials) involving 883 participants were eligible. The meta-analysis of some studies demonstrated that exercise intervention could significantly improve Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD = 2.56; 95%CI [0.35, 4.77]; P = .02), SLST (Single Leg Stance Test) under the eyes-open (EO) condition (MD = 3.63; 95%CI [1.79, 5.47]; P = .0001) and eyes-close (EC) condition (MD = 0.41; 95%CI [0.10, 0.72]; P = .01) compared to control group. There was no significant difference in Time Up and Go Test (TUGT) (MD = −0.75; 95%CI [−1.69, 0.19]; P = .12) and fall efficacy (SMD = −0.44; 95%CI [−0.86, −0.01]; P = .05). Narrative review of some studies indicated that exercise intervention could improve postural stability measured by Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Center of Pressure (COP) variables, etc. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized that exercise intervention could improve balance capacity in T2DM patients. However, further studies with high quality are required to evaluate its effect.