Effect Of Muscle Training with Biofeedback for Lower Limb Performance on Quality of Life in Tribals with Early Diabetic Neuropathy: A CommunityBased Study

Background: Functional mobility limitations and reduced health-related quality of life are common concerns in individuals undergoing physiotherapeutic rehabilitation. While conventional interventions improve mobility, their impact on overall quality of life may be limited. Therefore, evaluating interventions that address both physical function and patient-perceived well-being is essential. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of an experimental intervention with a control intervention on functional mobility and health-related quality of life using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and SF-12 questionnaire. Methodology: Thirty participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Experimental group (n = 15) and Control group (n = 15). Functional mobility and quality of life were assessed using TUG and SF-12, respectively, at baseline and after intervention. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, mixed-model ANOVA (time × group) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests, effect size calculation using Cohen’s d, and ANCOVA for SF-12 scores adjusted for baseline values. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement in TUG scores over time (p < 0.001), with no significant between-group difference (p > 0.05). SF-12 scores showed a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001), with the Experimental group demonstrating significantly greater improvement compared to the Control group. The effect size for SF-12 was very large (Cohen’s d = 2.10). ANCOVA confirmed that post-intervention SF-12 improvements remained significant after adjusting for baseline scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Both interventions were effective in improving functional mobility; however, the experimental intervention was superior in enhancing health-related quality of life. These findings support the use of the experimental intervention as a comprehensive physiotherapeutic approach for achieving holistic rehabilitation outcomes.