The Effect of Range of Motion (ROM) Ankle Exercises on Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) In Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease with frequent vascular complications, including decreased peripheral perfusion, which can be identified through the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) examination. Simple interventions such as Range of Motion (ROM) ankle exercises have the potential to improve lower extremity perfusion, but empirical evidence in primary care is still limited. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle ROM exercises on ABI values in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Puskesmas Kotabumi II. This study used a quasi-experimental design with a pre-post test approach without a control group on 52 respondents selected through consecutive sampling. The intervention consisted of active ankle ROM exercises performed three times daily for 14 days. ABI values were measured before and after the intervention using a sphygmomanometer and vascular Doppler. Data analysis using paired t-test. The mean ABI value increased from 0.71 (SD=0.16) before the intervention to 0.94 (SD=0.12) after the intervention. A paired t-test showed a significant difference between the ABI values before and after ankle ROM exercises (p=0.000). Ankle ROM exercises have been shown to be effective in increasing ABI values in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, so they can be recommended as a simple non-pharmacological intervention in primary care facilities to support the prevention of diabetic foot complications.