Patient education manual.

Objective

Impaired glucose control & Insulin resistance are reported to be risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. To find the effects of a structured exercise program on insulin resistance, glycaemic control, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design

Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting

Diabetic Foot Clinic, Department of Physiotherapy & Department of General Medicine, Kasturba Hospital in Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Participants

160 participants aged between 30–65 years with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Intervention

A set of structured exercise programs (aerobic, resistance, and combined) along with the standard hospital care was performed 3–5 times weekly for 12 weeks.

Measurements: Primary outcome measures

Fasting Insulin Level, Homa-IR, Six-minute walk test (6MWT), and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire at baseline and 12th week.

Secondary outcome measures

Body composition analysis, Fasting Blood Sugar, Postprandial Blood Sugar, Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), and GPAQ questionnaire at baseline and 12th week.

Results

Significant differences have been observed in Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (Homa-IR) (F (1, 144) = 89.29, p < 0.001); Fasting insulin (FI) (F (1, 144) = 129.10, p < 0.001); Fasting blood sugar (FBS) (F (1, 144) = 12.193, p< 0.001); Post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) (F (1, 144) = 53.015, p< 0.001); glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (F (1, 144) = 80.050, p < 0.001); WHOQOL-Physical health (F (1, 144) = 20.008, p< 0.001), Psychological (F (1, 144) = 77.984, p< 0.001), Social relationship (F (1, 144) = 44.866, p< 0.001); Environmental (F (1, 144) = 69.974, p< 0.001); Six minute walk test (6MWT) (F (1, 144) = 84.135, p< 0.001) in the study group when compared with the control group from baseline to 12th week.

Conclusions

The study reveals that a 12-week structured exercise training program effectively reduces insulin resistance, improves quality of life, enhances functional capacity, and improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.