Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41810304›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026

Exercise training and balance function in middle-aged and older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a GRADE-based systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rui Ma, Shuang Xu, Jianxin Kang, Xin Liu, Mingming Liu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Rui MaHubei Sports Vocational College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Shuang XuHubei Sports Vocational College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Jianxin KangWinter Olympic Academy, University of Harbin Sport, Harbin, China.
Xin LiuWinter Olympic Academy, University of Harbin Sport, Harbin, China.
Mingming LiuHubei Sports Vocational College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate, using the GRADE framework, the effects of exercise training on static and dynamic balance function in middle-aged and older adults with DPN. Methods: We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Scopus from inception to March 21, 2025, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating exercise interventions targeting balance in adults with DPN. Eligible studies enrolled middle-aged and older adults with DPN and reported at least one validated balance-related outcome. Risk of bias was assessed, and the certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE approach. Meta-analyses were performed using R software and expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Sixteen RCTs involving 759 middle-aged and older adults with DPN were included. Low to very low certainty evidence indicated that exercise training significantly improved Berg Balance Scale scores [ Conclusion: Exercise training may confer beneficial effects on both static and dynamic balance function in middle-aged and older adults with DPN, although the certainty of evidence is generally low to very low. No significant effect was found on six-min walking capacity. Larger, pragmatic trials are needed to confirm effects and to guide implementation in community and outpatient services, including monitoring of fall-related and longer-term functional outcomes. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261305039.

Indexed as

Diabetic NeuropathiesExerciseExercise TherapyPostural BalanceAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRandomized Controlled Trials as Topicbalancediabetic peripheral neuropathydisability burdenexercisefunctional performancehealthy agingmeta-analysismobility independence

Identifiers

PMID41810304
PMCPMC12969934

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.