Motor Learning in Gait in Subjects With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of diabetes for at least one year. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy as defined by failure to sense the 5.07 (10g) monofilament test in one or more of the six sites tested (31;32) Age 50-80 years old Able to ambulate independently without assistive devices (e.g. walker or crutches) (8) for 30 feet. No evidence of neurological (other than peripheral neuropathy) or orthopedic conditions Exclusion Criteria: Other non-diabetic causes of neuropathy by history Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease Joint pain, swelling and/or limited of range of motion in the lower extremities that interfere with walking or exercise Visual problems not correctable with glasses or contact lens Passive range of motion limitations are described as: Hip flexion < 1000; Hip extension < 200; Knee flexion < 1250; Knee extension < 00 (unable to obtain full extension); Ankle plantar flexion < 250; Ankle dorsiflexion < 150 Other systemic or local diseases that could interfere with walking assessment Severe systemic diseases other than diabetes or its complications, especially those interfering with exercise tolerance Amputation in the lower extremities Terminal illness Severe obesity: BMI>30 kg/m2 (33) Severe foot deformities (e.g. flexion contracture of the toes, pes cavus, Charcot disease) Mini-mental status of <27 or diagnosis of dementia History of alcohol or drug abuse