Aquatic Exercise on Brain Activity in Type 2 Diabetic: Randomized Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Exercise Physiology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes rehabilitation often involves water-based physical exercise.
• The impact of such programs on cerebral electrical activity remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of a water-based exercise protocol on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, blood glucose, and functional capacity in type 2 diabetics.
• To investigate correlations between these parameters.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 40 type 2 diabetes volunteers (20 per group: control and exercise).
• The exercise group underwent a 5-week, 3x/week, 50-minute water-based program.
• Assessments included EEG, blood glucose, and the 6-minute walk test at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Functional capacity, measured by the 6-minute walk test, significantly improved post-intervention (p=0.01).
• Electroencephalographic activity showed a decrease between pre-intervention and follow-up (p<0.05), with variations across specific EEG channels (e.g., AF3).
• Time-by-group comparisons indicated significant decreases in EEG activity from pre-intervention to follow-up and post-intervention to follow-up (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• The water-based exercise protocol effectively maintained electroencephalographic activity, glucose levels, and functional capacity in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• No significant correlation was found between changes in brain electrical activity and capillary blood glucose levels.