A total of twelve patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (seven men and five women, of age ranging between 50–66 years) were interviewed in the study. For all the patients, the disease was diagnosed for more than 8 years, and all the patients had moderate to severe levels of diabetic polyneuropathy (mTCNS score ranging from 9–12). The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients are mentioned in Table 1.
Table 1
Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients.
| Age (years) | Gender (M/F) | BMI (kg/m2) | Duration of diagnosis (years) | Treatment (Medicines / Insulin / Both) | mTCNS score |
P1 | 56 | M | 30.1 | 12 | Insulin | 10 |
P2 | 56 | F | 34.9 | 8 | Medicines | 12 |
P3 | 65 | M | 28.3 | 9 | Medicines | 10 |
P4 | 52 | F | 26.7 | 8 | Both | 9 |
P5 | 53 | F | 29.5 | 11 | Medicines | 9 |
P6 | 66 | M | 26.8 | 9 | Insulin | 12 |
P7 | 60 | M | 31.6 | 8 | Both | 12 |
P8 | 56 | M | 22.3 | 14 | Insulin | 9 |
P9 | 55 | M | 29.4 | 16 | Insulin | 10 |
P10 | 63 | M | 25.1 | 14 | Insulin | 11 |
P11 | 50 | F | 32.2 | 8 | Medicines | 10 |
P12 | 55 | F | 25.9 | 12 | Medicines | 9 |
BMI: Body Mass Index, mTCNS: Modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System |
Three key themes were identified after data analysis: (a) Perception of quality of life (b) Facilitators and (c) Barriers to home-based multifactorial IMT. The quotations from the data are highlighted below with the description of each theme. Detailed description of themes. Sub themes and codes are given in Table 2.
Table 2
Themes, sub themes and codes related to patients’ perception of multifactorial IMT.
Theme | Sub-themes | Codes |
Improvement in QOL | Experienced better breathing control | • Decreased SOB during activity • Level of dyspnea reduced |
Generalized improvement in physical health | • Improved walking capacity • Decreased level of fatigue • Feeling of relaxation • Better sleep • Functional independence |
Reduced physical discomfort | • Decreased muscle pain and stiffness • Reduced muscle aching |
Facilitators | User friendly regimen | • Safe and Easy to use. • Needs minimal supervision. • Easy customization of intervention • Easy incorporation in daily routine • Saves travel time. • Flexible schedule |
Reduced Health care cost | • Saves travel cost. • Saves per session cost. • Reduced financial burden |
Improved physical autonomy | • Independence • Empowerment • Self-sufficiency • Increased confidence • Family support |
Barriers | Device Related barriers | • COVID apprehension • Uncomfortable nose piece • Feeling of nausea with mouthpiece • Exertional • Ringing in ears in initial sessions |
Issues with home-based treatment | • Environmental distractions • Reduced commitment to exercise • Safety concerns • Technical issues • Self-discipline • Lack of supervision • Limited feedback |
Lack of social communication | • Limited/No social interaction • Isolation |
• Lack of time / other responsibilities |
Overall, the patients were satisfied with this home-based multifactorial intervention. However, they highlighted a few limitations, which can improve the level of satisfaction. Themes and sub-themes are highlighted in Fig. 1.
Theme 1: Improvement in Quality of Life
All patients reported improvements in quality of life after 12 weeks of multifactorial IMT intervention performed at home. The patients noted a substantial decrease in the level of dyspnea and reduced shortness of breath on activities that previously provoked the dyspnea.
“One of the major benefits of these exercises is improvement in my shortness of breath. Previously, I experienced shortness of breath whenever I used to climb stairs and do speedy walk but recently, when my mother was admitted in hospital, I walked a lot more than usual but didn’t experience shortness of breath.” (P6, M, 66years)
They also reported that the comprehensive rehabilitation approach (i.e., IMT + OEP) improved their walking speed, reduced dyspnea and fatigue thereby improving functional independence. This not only improved their physical function but also helped in improvement of mental well-being through relaxation attainment and improved quality of sleep.
“I feel better and more confident as this combination of exercises has not only reduced shortness of breath but also improved my physical health because I no more experience day to day discomfort and sleep better now.” (P1, M, 56years)
“I used to feel exhausted all the time but now I feel myself as more energetic, independent, and more confident knowing how to control of my breath.” (P8, M, 56years)
There was also a generalized improvement in the physical health and well-being of patients. The patients reported decreased muscle tension and stiffness which previously used to make them struggle all day thereby relieving the muscles aches.
“The muscle tightness that previously used to stay with me all the time and drain me has now run away. These exercises have given me a major relief in terms of improved mobility.” (P10, M, 63years)
“The day when I exercise is spent very well, but when I didn’t do exercise, the whole day spent too lazy, and I didn’t feel mentally relaxed.” (P2, F, 56years)
Theme 2: Facilitators to multifactorial IMT
The patients were satisfied with the home-based intervention as it was a combination of user-friendly and easy to use device based IMT training accompanied by set of easy to perform OEP for balance and strength training.
“The exercises are easy to perform at home where the environment is comfortable for me as I no longer must wait in the department for my turn as I used to do earlier. This saves time and unnecessary fatigue and exertion.” (P9, M, 55years)
The training diaries were maintained and weekly monitored to check adherence to the protocol and the participants having adherence rate < 80% were considered as drop out from study.
“I have weekly supervised session with my therapist which gives me confident that I am on track and keeps me motivated for the session throughout the week.” (P11, F, 50years)
The training was not only easy to perform and requiring minimal supervision, but also reduced the health care cost associated with the supervised training sessions. It indirectly reduced the travelling and session cost thereby reducing the financial burden on the patients.
“I no longer need to schedule my exercise sessions as per my son’s schedule of night shifts.” (P5, F, 53years)
Another facilitator of this intervention was the reduced health care cost associated with less frequent hospital visits saving their travel cost as well as cost of treatment sessions.
“I experienced a significant relief in terms of cost after starting this home-based treatment. (P3, M, 65years)
Multifactorial IMT also improved the physical autonomy of the patients. The empowerment and independence the patient perceived, attaining with the intervention, reduced the dependency on care givers and made them accountable and self-sufficient.
“I feel more empowered as I can progress at my own pace. Now, I can try more challenging exercises and move forward when me and my therapist feel ready for it.” (P2, F, 56years)
Theme 3: Barriers to multifactorial IMT
Although the adherence to the intervention was good and patients felt improvement in symptoms as well as quality of life with this home-based intervention, still there were a few barriers highlighted by the patients. The most important being the initial difficulty in usage with device-based treatment because of the uncomfortable nose clip and feeling of nausea and ringing of ears. This difficulty got settled as the patients became accustomed to this training.
“Initially, I felt a constant beep in my ears and head, and then felt dizziness but with time it got easier.” (P7, M, 60years)
“When I started doing IMT, it felt like there was something in my ear and at times I felt nauseous also, but later, this feeling reduced and I got able to complete the required number of breaths easily.” (P12, F, 55years)
There was apprehension of patients related to COVID also which settled down with time.
“Yes, I have to acknowledge my initial fears and concerns regarding COVID 19, when I understand the importance and need of treatment but the fear of contracting COVID with this breathing device was constantly in my mind.” (P3, M, 65years)
Patients reported it to be somewhat difficult to go for a home-based treatment as there is distraction in home environment and it needs to be highly self-directed, motivated, and self-disciplined to continue with the treatment at home which becomes quite difficult at times.
“Before starting treatment, I was quite happy with the idea of home-based treatment performing exercises in the comfort of my own home at my own schedule but with time I realized the challenges of home-based sessions, I had to find ways to overcome distractions and staying motivated.” (P12, F, 55years)
A few patients need monitoring and guidance to deal with safety and technical issues. Another challenge reported by the patients is the limited feedback on their performance as the patients underwent only one supervised session per week.
“Although I have been guided properly, still I am a bit uncertain regarding what I am performing and miss the immediate supervision by my therapist, whose motivation kept my moral high.” (P4, F, 52years)
The patients also used to miss the social interaction with other patients at the hospital set-up.
“Though, I am satisfied with this home-based approach, however, sometimes I find myself missing the social interaction with the fellow patients who were going through similar experiences.” (P6, M, 66years)
Another challenge of this intervention as reported by patients was the lack of time and other responsibilities also made them forget the sessions.
“It was quite demanding at times, and I faced this challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities and managing time for the exercise session. I do recognize the importance of sessions but finding time for them was quite tough.” (P11, F, 50years)