Effect of Contrast Bath on Level of Neuropathic Pain among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetic neuropathy is a chronic sequela of DM and contrast bath is a non-pharmacological treatment modality which can reduce neuropathic pain among them. The present study was intended to assess the effect of contrast bath on level of neuropathic pain among patients with T2DM. The main objectives of the study were to assess the level of neuropathic pain among patients with T2DM, assess the effect of contrast bath on level of neuropathic pain and to determine the association between the neuropathic pain and socio demographic and clinical variables. The research approach was quantitative and the design adopted was quasi experimental. Sample consists of 60 patients with T2DM having neuropathic pain attending OPDs of Ananthapuri hospital selected by consecutive sampling technique. The conceptual framework adopted for the study was Wiedenbach’s Prescriptive theory. A structured interview schedule was used to collect socio demographic and clinical variables and Galer Neuropathy Pain Scale for assessing the neuropathic pain. Pre-test was done for both groups. After explanation and ensuring safety contrast bath was administered to experimental group for 20 minutes. Post-test was done by using the same tool for both experimental and control group. Mean, frequency, percentage were used to describe the data. Independent t test was used to assess the effect of contrast bath and association of level of neuropathic pain with socio demographic and clinical variables. The results revealed statistically significant (p<0.01) difference in the mean score of neuropathic pain in the experimental and control group after intervention. There was no significant association between level of neuropathic pain and socio demographic and clinical variables. The study infers that contrast bath is a simple non pharmacological home-based cost-effective intervention which can improve the daily functional abilities of patients with DM and thereby enhancing their quality of life.