Background: Upper limb dysfunction due to musculoskeletal impairments significantly reduces strength, functional ability, and quality of life. Rehabilitation interventions aim to restore muscle strength and functional capacity, yet the relative effectiveness of experimental versus conventional therapies requires further investigation.
Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects of an experimental intervention and conventional therapy on hand grip strength and upper limb functional ability in patients with upper limb impairments.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 30 participants, divided equally into Experimental (n = 15) and Control (n = 15) Groups. Handheld dynamometry was used to assess hand grip strength, while the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire measured functional ability. Both groups underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments. Paired t-tests were used to examine within-group changes, and between-group comparisons were analyzed to determine intervention effectiveness.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in hand grip strength and DASH scores following intervention (p < 0.05). The Experimental Group exhibited a mean increase in hand grip strength from 34.07 ± 7.69 kg to 41.53 ± 3.79 kg (t = –2.882, p = 0.012) and a significant reduction in DASH scores from 62.73 ± 14.47 to 12.33 ± 5.15 (t = 11.741, p < 0.001). The Control Group also improved, with hand grip strength increasing from 29.20 ± 7.31 kg to 35.73 ± 7.19 kg (t = –3.960, p = 0.001) and DASH scores decreasing from 72.40 ± 14.26 to 30.20 ± 6.79 (t = 9.289, p < 0.001). Between-group comparison revealed superior functional improvements in the Experimental Group.
Conclusion: The experimental intervention was more effective than conventional therapy in enhancing hand grip strength and upper limb functional ability. These findings suggest that structured, targeted, and function-focused rehabilitation protocols can produce greater improvements in patient outcomes, providing evidence for their integration into clinical practice.
Keywords: Hand grip strength, DASH, upper limb function, rehabilitation, experimental intervention, physiotherapy, Diabetic Neuropathy, Women Health, Quality of Life
How to cite this article: Bhardwaj A, Dave V, Baldha G, Oza P, Kumar H, Impact of biofeedback for upper limb muscle training on quality of life in women with diabetic neuropathy. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 1-7; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.1