Table 2 Baseline participant’s characteristics from the control and intervention groups

Age (years)

50.5 (13.2)

52.5 (4.5)

Body mass (kg)

80.9 (25.1)

68.6 (10.6)

Height (m)

1.62 (0.08)

1.60 (0.11)

Body mass index (kg/m²)

30.4 (6.7)

26.4 (2.8)

Type of diabetes

DM2 = 87.5%

DM2 = 83.3%

Sex

Female—6

Female—5

DPN severity (fuzzy score)

2.1 (2.1–6.0) ^a

2.1 (2.1–3.9) ^a

MNSI (score)

9.2 (2.3)

8.8 (2.6)

Tactile sensitivity (number of areas) right

0.0 (0.0–1.5) ^a

0.0 (0.0–1.0) ^a

Tactile sensitivity (number of areas) left

0.0 (0.0–2.5) ^a

0.0 (0.0–1.0) ^a

Tactile threshold right

2.0 (2.0–5.0) ^a

3.0 (1.0 – 4.0) ^a

Tactile threshold left

2.5 (2.0–4.5) ^a

3.0 (2.0–5.5) ^a

FHSQ foot pain (score)

56.3 (32.6)

38.6 (35.8)

FHSQ foot function (score)

72.6 (24.0)

63.5 (32.4)

FHSQ footwear (score)

38.5 (44.3)

27.7 (32.7)

FHSQ general foot health (score)

25.3 (22.4)

22.9 (38.2)