Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms Related to Physical Competence

Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms Related to Physical Competence: Do They Predict Dynamic Balance?

The research is a cross-sectional study and was planned to determine which diabetes mellitus symptoms related to physical competence have a greater impact on balance in patients with diabetes mellitus

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: There will be no intervention in the study. Only descriptive tests will be used.

Detailed Description

The present study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study to investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM)-related symptoms and physical competence, with a specific focus on balance performance in individuals diagnosed with DM. Considering that diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that frequently leads to multisystemic complications such as peripheral neuropathy, muscle weakness, sensory impairments, and reduced physical capacity, it is essential to determine how these clinical manifestations affect functional outcomes. Since balance is a critical component of daily living activities and directly influences fall risk, mobility, and quality of life, identifying which DM-related symptoms most strongly contribute to balance impairment may provide important insights for rehabilitation and preventive strategies. By assessing symptom domains related to physical competence and their association with balance performance, this study aims to reveal the key determinants of postural control in patients with DM, thereby guiding both clinical evaluation and individualized intervention programs.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 58

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Isparta, Turkey (Türkiye), 32200
    • Suleyman Demirel University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• having Diabetes MEllitus
• having a Mini Mental Test (MMT) score ≥ 24

Exclusion Criteria:

• the presence of comorbid conditions that could affect balance, such as lower extremity injuries, musculoskeletal surgery, diabetic neuropathy, orthopedic, neurological and cardiovascular diseases, and hearing or vision problems.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
1; There will be only one group in the study.	Diagnostic test: There will be no intervention in the study. Only descriptive tests will be used.; There will be no intervention in the study. Only descriptive tests will be used.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dynamic balance	Four-Step Square Test (FSST): Two strips were placed perpendicular to each other on the floor to create 4 squares. At the start of the test, the patient stood on square 1 facing square 2. The stepping sequence was as follows: 2-3-4-1-4-3-2-1. Participants were instructed to complete the sequence as fast as possible, without touching the canes or strips, and to ensure that both feet fully contacted the ground in each square. If the participant failed to complete the sequence correctly, lost balance, or touched the cane, the test was repeated. The total time required to complete the test was recorded	7 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF)	The IPAQ-LF consists of 27 items designed to assess physical activity across various domains, such as of housework, gardening, work activities, transportation, and leisure activities. The weekly physical activity level was calculated as metabolic equivalent of task (MET), by multiplying the activity duration in the previous week. An increase in the score indicates a high level of physical activity. According to the results, participants can be classified as inactive, minimally active, or very active. Inactive (Category 1): The lowest level of physical activity. Situations that do not meet the criteria for Categories 2 or 3 are considered "inactive." Minimally Active (Category 2): Achieving a minimum of 600 MET-min/week, with vigorous activity performed for at least 20 minutes per day on 3 or more days. Very Active (Category 3): At least 3 days of vigorous activity achieving a minimum of 1500 MET-min/week.	7 months
6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT)	6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT): The 6MWT is a valid, reliable, and gold standard maximal exercise effort test, that evaluates functional capacity and aerobic efficiency. The 6MWT was performed between two cones placed 30 m apart. Before the test, the physiotherapist recorded the vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate per minute). The participants were asked to walk as fast as possible for 6 min and were informed in the last 1 min. If the patient had to stop walking within 6 min, they were asked to lean against the wall, but no patient stopped walking. The assessments were repeated at the end of the 6MWT, and the walking distance was recorded in meters.	7 months
Modified Borg Scale (MBS)	Modified Borg Scale (MBS): The MBS is a modified version of the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale, which was developed to quantify the subjective level of effort experienced during physical activity. The scale is commonly used in clinical rehabilitation to quantify the rates of fatigue-related perceived exertion between 0 and 10. "0" equates to "at rest" and "10" equates to "very, very hard".	7 months
International Urinary Incontinence Consultation Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF)	International Urinary Incontinence Consultation Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF): The ICIQ-UI SF, consisting of 6 items questioning the frequency, amount, and duration of urinary incontinence, and the impact of these complaints on daily life. The ICIQ-UI SF, is a short and simple questionnaire, that is useful in screening incontinence and obtaining brief but comprehensive data on the level, impact, and perceived effects of incontinence symptoms. The highest possible score on the questionnaire is 21. A higher score indicates a greater impact of incontinence.	7 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Suleyman Demirel University
• Collaborators: Pamukkale University
• Investigators: Study Director: ÇETİŞLİ KORKMAZ, Pamukkale University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 3, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 13, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): July 7, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 23, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 16, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 18, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 18, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 16, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physical Activity; Diabetes Mellitus; Urinary Incontinence; Exertion; Dynamic Balance
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Metabolic Diseases; Urination Disorders; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Urological Manifestations; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Urinary Incontinence; Diabetes Mellitus; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: 60116787-020/71477

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No