Gait and Balance Function Improves After 12 Weeks of Moderate Intensity Endurance Exercise in Persons with HIV-related Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of endurance exercise on balance impairment and gait disturbance among individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-related distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN). DESIGN: This was a multi-centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: The intervention consisted of moderate-intensity endurance exercise (three 30-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks) (n = 45). The control group was a non-exercise, waitlist group (n = 47). Non-parametric inferential statistics were used, with the Friedman test for within-group comparisons and the Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons. The alpha level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, the training group showed significant improvements in balance performance (P = 0.001) and walking ability (P = 0.001). In contrast, no significant changes in balance (P = 0.531) or gait (P = 0.12) were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Endurance training can lead to improvements in muscle strength, coordination, balance, functional status, and quality of life. This study concludes that moderate-intensity endurance exercise has a positive effect on balance impairment and gait disturbance in individuals with HIV-related DSPN.