Dian Yuliandri, Kristina Lisum

CASE STUDY: EFFECTIVENESS OF DIABETES FOOT EXERCISES ON REDUCING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Introduction

Case study: effectiveness of diabetes foot exercises on reducing blood sugar levels and blood pressure in diabetes mellitus patients. Diabetic foot exercises effectively reduce blood sugar and blood pressure in Type 2 DM patients. Improves sleep, reduces fatigue, and enhances overall well-being.

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and increased risk of complications such as peripheral neuropathy and vascular disorders. One of the effective and accessible non-pharmacological approaches in nursing practice is diabetic foot exercise. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of diabetic foot exercise in reducing blood glucose levels and blood pressure in type 2 DM patients with various comorbidities. This research employed a descriptive observational case study approach involving four patients diagnosed with type 2 DM and diverse comorbidities (pulmonary TB, COPD, neurological disorders, and diabetic foot wounds). The intervention consisted of a diabetic foot exercise program performed for three consecutive days, 10–15 minutes per session, using nine specific movements. Results: All patients demonstrated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels (80–200 mg/dL) and blood pressure stabilization within normal limits. Patients also reported improved sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and increased motivation and physical comfort. Diabetic foot exercise is proven to be an effective complementary nursing intervention for lowering blood glucose and blood pressure while improving the physiological and psychological status of type 2 DM patients, including those with limited mobility.

Review

This descriptive observational case study addresses a highly relevant and practical aspect of diabetes management: the potential of diabetic foot exercises as a non-pharmacological intervention. The abstract clearly articulates the objective of evaluating these exercises in reducing blood glucose and blood pressure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients, including those with various comorbidities. The reported positive outcomes—significant reductions in blood glucose and stabilization of blood pressure, alongside improved sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and increased comfort—are encouraging. The emphasis on its applicability to patients with limited mobility further highlights the potential accessibility and broad utility of this simple yet impactful nursing intervention. However, the methodology employed presents several inherent limitations that warrant careful consideration. As a descriptive observational case study involving only four patients, the generalizability of these findings is severely restricted. The short intervention period of three consecutive days makes it difficult to ascertain the long-term effectiveness or sustained impact of the exercises. Furthermore, the absence of a control group prevents attributing the observed positive changes solely to the diabetic foot exercises, as other concurrent care or environmental factors might have influenced the outcomes. While the abstract mentions a "significant reduction" in blood glucose (80–200 mg/dL), the lack of specific individual pre- and post-intervention measurements or statistical analysis typical of larger studies means these results should be interpreted as preliminary indications rather than conclusive evidence. Despite these methodological caveats, the study offers valuable preliminary insights and a strong rationale for further investigation. It effectively highlights the potential benefits of diabetic foot exercises not just for physiological markers but also for crucial patient-reported outcomes, contributing to an improved quality of life. This work serves as an important foundation, providing encouraging data that can inform the design of more robust, larger-scale studies, such as randomized controlled trials, with longer intervention periods and diverse patient populations. Such future research would be instrumental in confirming these initial findings and establishing the definitive efficacy and optimal protocol for integrating diabetic foot exercises into standard diabetes care.

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