Effect of Duration of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus on Audio-Visual Reaction Time: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that may affect the peripheral and central nervous systems, potentially influencing reaction time (RT) and functional performance.  

Aim : This study aimed to assess auditory and visual reaction times using a standardized reaction-time apparatus among individuals with T2DM and compare RT performance according to diabetes duration.  

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 individuals with T2DM. Participants were divided into Group A (0-5 years; n=15) and Group B (>5 years; n=15). Simple, discriminatory, and choice auditory and visual RTs were assessed using a standardized reaction-time apparatus developed by Anand Agencies, Pune. Between-group comparisons were performed using the independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Within-group comparisons were performed using the Friedman test.  

Results: No significant differences were observed between groups for simple auditory, simple visual, discriminatory visual, choice auditory, or choice visual RTs (p>0.05). A significant difference was observed in discriminatory auditory RT (U=169.00, p=0.020), with Group A showing a higher mean RT (0.695 ± 0.198 s) than Group B (0.557 ± 0.141 s).  

Conclusion: Diabetes duration was not consistently associated with auditory or visual reaction-time performance. The findings suggest that diabetes duration alone may not adequately reflect the neurological effects of T2DM.