The influence of home-based exercise on gestational diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: The impact of home-based exercise for gestational diabetes remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of home-based exercise on glycemic control for gestational diabetes.Methods: We search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases through April 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of home-based exercise on glycemic control for gestational diabetes.Results: Five RCTs involving 266 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for gestational diabetes, home-based exercise shows no important impact on fasting glucose (std. MD =0.18; 95% CI = -0.11-0.46; p = .22), HbA1c (std. MD = -0.05; 95% CI = -0.32-0.22; p = .70), insulin requirement (risk ratios (RR) = 1.63; 95% CI =0.51-5.17; p = .41), insulin sensitivity index (std. MD = -0.18; 95% CI = -1.02-0.66; p = .67), gestational age at delivery (std. MD =0.01; 95% CI = -0.26-0.28; p = .95), preterm birth (RR =1.01; 95% CI =0.34-2.99; p = .99), birth weight (std. MD =0.06; 95% CI = -0.45-0.58; p = .81) and head circumference (std. MD =0.11; 95% CI = -0.16-0.38; p = .44).Conclusions: Home-based exercise demonstrates no substantial benefits to fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin requirement, insulin sensitivity index, gestational age at delivery, preterm birth, birth weight and head circumference for gestational diabetes women.