Objective To explore the effect of flexibility training on balance function in elderly patients with diabetes peripheral neuropathy. Methods A total of 88 elderly patients with diabetes peripheral neuropathy were recruited from two community health service centers in Shanghai.They were randomly divided into an intervention group （n=45） and a control group （n=43）.The control group was subjected to community based diabetes health education and routine exercise, while the intervention group was subjected to community based diabetes health education and flexibility training.The intervention lasted 3 month for each group.The range of motion of the ankle joint, balance function and gait stability were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 43 cases in the intervention group and 42 cases in the control group completed the study. The results of the Single Leg Stance （SLS） Test with closed-eyes, the results of Time Up and Go test, the proportion of participants with abnormal center of pressure （COP） curve of the plantar, the proportion of participants having pressure-time integral curve in the intervention group were better than those of the control group （all P＜0.05）. Conclusion Flexibility training can improve ankle joint movement, balance function and gait stability of elderly patients with diabetes peripheral neuropathy.