Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Most of the evidence to date regarding physical activity and type 2 diabetes has focused on elucidating physiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes, or its importance as part of disease management. Recent trials also show that regular physical activity can play an important role in the prevention or delay of diabetes mellitus among those at high risk. Unfortunately, few investigations identify which interventions are most effective in initiating or maintaining physical activity among persons with type 2 diabetes, or the unique barriers such persons face when deciding to become more physically active. Such information is critical for effective diabetes prevention and control of complications.
Objectives: To systematically review which interventions are effective for promoting physical activity for persons with type 2 diabetes who are sedentary (initiation) or who are active at less than recommended levels (promoting compliance).
Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of medical and sociological computerized databases without language restriction from inception. Hand searching and screening of references lists was performed. To be included, studies needed to: (1) have a stated or implied objective to increase physical activity in persons with type 2 diabetes, (2) clearly describe the physical activity intervention, and (3) report physical activity outcomes. Those studies which included physical activity as a small component of a much larger and diverse intervention, or those that focused primarily on diet for weight loss, were to be excluded. All study designs that include a comparison group, and of any duration or length of follow-up were included in this review.
Results: We have established a conceptual framework for systematically reviewing physical activity interventions relative to study populations, settings, and outcomes. At present we have identified 14 studies examining the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in persons with type 2 diabetes. This review presented distinct conceptual challenges because weight loss is an important component of diabetes treatment that may not rest solely on physical activity efforts, which were often poorly described. Thus, those studies which included physical activity as a small component of a much larger life-style intervention for weight loss were placed in an exclude table for our review. The number of randomized controlled trials, controlled trials and controlled clinical trials (quazi-randomized) will be assessed to determine if pooled estimates will be based solely on the results of these trials.
Conclusions: We have already identified important gaps in the literature based on the findings of our reviewed studies and the specific components of their interventions that can help to produce effective promotion (initiation and/or maintenance) of physical activity for diabetes prevention and control of complications.
Objectives: To systematically review which interventions are effective for promoting physical activity for persons with type 2 diabetes who are sedentary (initiation) or who are active at less than recommended levels (promoting compliance).
Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of medical and sociological computerized databases without language restriction from inception. Hand searching and screening of references lists was performed. To be included, studies needed to: (1) have a stated or implied objective to increase physical activity in persons with type 2 diabetes, (2) clearly describe the physical activity intervention, and (3) report physical activity outcomes. Those studies which included physical activity as a small component of a much larger and diverse intervention, or those that focused primarily on diet for weight loss, were to be excluded. All study designs that include a comparison group, and of any duration or length of follow-up were included in this review.
Results: We have established a conceptual framework for systematically reviewing physical activity interventions relative to study populations, settings, and outcomes. At present we have identified 14 studies examining the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in persons with type 2 diabetes. This review presented distinct conceptual challenges because weight loss is an important component of diabetes treatment that may not rest solely on physical activity efforts, which were often poorly described. Thus, those studies which included physical activity as a small component of a much larger life-style intervention for weight loss were placed in an exclude table for our review. The number of randomized controlled trials, controlled trials and controlled clinical trials (quazi-randomized) will be assessed to determine if pooled estimates will be based solely on the results of these trials.
Conclusions: We have already identified important gaps in the literature based on the findings of our reviewed studies and the specific components of their interventions that can help to produce effective promotion (initiation and/or maintenance) of physical activity for diabetes prevention and control of complications.