Background: Balance is one of the basic needs for daily activities. It has an important role in static and dynamic activities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the balance of people with peripheral neuropathy after 4-weeks of functional and balance exercise program.

Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 22 diabetic patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (experimental group, n=11 control group, n=11) with the mean age of 53.79 years, mean height of 163.41cm, and mean weight of 71.49 kg, were randomly selected. Berg and T.G.U.G tests were used to evaluate the balance of patients. 12 sessions of combined training (balance and functional training) were used as intervention program. A paired t-test was used for the differences of pre-post test and independent t-tests were used to compare the experimental and control groups.

Results: The paired sample t-test showed that training program has significant effect on functional and dynamic balance. The comparison between the two groups showed no significant deference between pre-functional balance tests and significant post-functional balance test after training program.

Conclusion: Patients with diabetic neuropathy may have an impaired balance. The most important reason is the damage of proprioceptive receptors as combined training (balance and functional training) may improve balance and blood circulation in this organ also putting extra load on the visual system, vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation system and improves balance. Hence, it can be recommended as exercises to improve balance.