Diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN) leads to balance impairment among diabetes mellitus (DM). The aims of this study were to (1) distinguish between DM patients who have/do not have DPN and to (2) compare quadriceps’ strength and balance performance of DM, DPN, and healthy groups. Fifteen healthy females and 33 females with type 2 diabetic patients participated. The electrodiagnostic method was used to classify diabetic patients into DM and DPN. A dynamometer was used to measure quadriceps’ strength. Single-leg standing on a force plate was also used to quantify participants’ balance. Smaller conduction velocity and amplitude and greater distal latency of all nerves were observed in the DPN compared with the DM in particular for sensory nerve. In DPN, conduction velocity was asymmetrical. The quadriceps’ strength of both legs in DPN and the right leg in DM was smaller than in the control group. The root mean square of the center of pressure was similar between DM and DPN. But it was larger in DPN than in the control group. DPN is associated with asymmetrical conduction velocity, smaller quadriceps’ strength, and weaker balance performance that is suggestive of higher risk of falling. Balance training is recommended for the DPN group during their rehabilitation to reduce their falling risk.

糖尿病周围神经病变（DPN）会导致糖尿病（DM）患者的平衡障碍。本研究的目的是 (1) 区分患有/不患有 DPN 的 DM 患者，以及 (2) 比较 DM、DPN 和健康组的股四头肌力量和平衡表现。15 名健康女性和 33 名患有 2 型糖尿病的女性患者参加了研究。采用电诊断方法将糖尿病患者分为DM和DPN。测力计用于测量股四头肌的力量。单腿站立在测力板上也被用来量化参与者的平衡能力。与 DM 相比，DPN 中所有神经的传导速度和幅度更小，远端潜伏期更长，尤其是感觉神经。在 DPN 中，传导速度是不对称的。DPN组双腿股四头肌力量和DM组右腿股四头肌力量均小于对照组。DM 和 DPN 的压力中心均方根相似。但 DPN 组比对照组更大。DPN 与传导速度不对称、股四头肌力量较小以及平衡能力较弱有关，这表明跌倒的风险较高。建议DPN组在康复期间进行平衡训练，以降低跌倒风险。