Effects of strength exercise on pain management and quality of life in subjects with systemic peripheral neuropathies: a review and meta-analysis

Review written by Dr Sarah Haag info

Key Points

  1. Strengthening exercises were found to reduce pain and improve quality of life for some people diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Peripheral neuropathies (PN) may be classified in many ways. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common systemic PN, while compressive neuropathies are the most common focal neuropathies. Symptoms of systemic neuropathies include alterations in sensibility, pain, loss of strength and muscle mass, alteration of reflexes, balance, and instability when walking. Due to the challenges of addressing all the different PNs, this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis focused on systemic PNs.

This review aimed to evaluate the possible effects of strength exercises on improving pain and quality of life in patients with systemic PNs.

Symptoms of systemic neuropathies include alterations in sensibility, pain, loss of strength and muscle mass, alteration of reflexes, balance, and instability when walking.
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It seems reasonable to recommend strengthening exercises for people presenting to clinic with peripheral neuropathy and pain or decreased function.

METHODS

Articles published between 2013 and 2022 were identified by searching 10 online databases. Articles with a population of subjects >18 years of age with a medical diagnosis of systemic peripheral neuropathy and an intervention of strength exercise as the main

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