Balance and Level of Confidence in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus without Diabetic Neuropathy among Middle-aged Adults

Background: Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia that can impair balance, even without neuropathy, due to changes in proprioception and muscle performance. Altered sensory processing and reduced nerve function can affect proprioception, while decreased strength and coordination deficits weaken muscle performance, making balance control more difficult. Aims and objectives: To evaluate Balance and Level of Confidence in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus without Diabetic Neuropathy among Middle-Aged Adults. Method: 61 middle-aged adults (age 45-60) with T2DM for more than 5 years, no neuropathy, and a 6/6 score on the Ipswich Touch Test were included. Balance was assessed using the Single Leg Stance (SLS) test (both eyes open and closed) and level of confidence by Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Result: The SLS-EO (eyes open) mean score was 8.69 ± 5.10 seconds, indicating moderate balance ability. However, when visual input was removed (SLS-EC, eyes closed), the mean score dropped to 2.97 ± 5.29 seconds, reflecting a greater impairment in balance without visual support. Despite this, participants reported high level of confidence in their balance, with an ABC score of 92.8 ± 8.35. Conclusion: Middle-aged adults with T2DM without neuropathy showed moderate balance, with significantly greater impairment when visual input was removed, suggesting proprioceptive involvement. Despite these balance challenges, participants demonstrated high confidence in their balance, indicating a discrepancy between perceived and actual balance performance. Key words: Type-2 DM, Balance, SLS Test, ABC Scale, Without Diabetic Neuropathy, Diabetes Mellitus