Long-term effect of short-term exercise instructions in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: observation study...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Diabetes Management
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) management often requires lifestyle interventions.
• The long-term efficacy of short-term, therapist-led exercise programs for T2D patients remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the sustained effects of brief, outpatient exercise instruction on the physical function and motivational stages of Japanese individuals with T2D over a two-year period.

Main Methods:

• A follow-up study involving 18 patients with T2D, comparing an intervention group (n=13) to a non-intervention group (n=5).
• Assessment of motor skills, specifically the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the transtheoretical model (TTM) of behavior change.
• Data collected at baseline, 8 weeks, and 2 years post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in 6MWT distance at 8 weeks, which was maintained at the 2-year follow-up (p=0.05).
• Significant improvements in TTM scores were observed at 8 weeks and sustained at 2 years (p=0.02) in the intervention group.
• No significant changes in 6MWT or TTM scores were noted in the non-intervention group over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Short-term exercise instruction provided by physical therapists can lead to lasting improvements in walking ability for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• Therapist-guided exercise interventions may offer a sustainable approach to enhancing physical function and behavioral change in T2D management.