Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of implementation intentions as an intervention strategy to promote walking in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).METHODSWe conducted a controlled and randomized trial, with 12 months of follow-up, involving 65 people with T2DM recruited from primary health care units and allocated them in the control group (CG, n = 32) and intervention group (IG, n = 33). The IG received the implementation intention strategy to promote walking and the CG remained in follow-up for conventional treatment in primary health care. The researchers were blinded by anthropometric measurements and the filling of the instruments.RESULTSAfter twelve months of follow up, the IG presented a statistically significant increase in the leisure time physical activity when compared with the CG (p = 0.0413) and showed a significant decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.0061). No significant difference was observed regarding body mass index and glycated hemoglobin among groups.CONCLUSIONSImplementation intention was effective in promoting walking and improving clinical indicators in adults with T2DM.
Highlights
There is growing evidence that an epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is occurring worldwide
After twelve months of follow up, the Intervention Group (IG) presented a statistically significant increase in the leisure time physical activity when compared with the Control Group (CG) (p = 0.0413) and showed a significant decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.0061)
In 2015, 415 million adults had DM and 318 million had impaired glucose tolerance, placing them at high risk of developing DM in the future[1].About 90-95% of patients with DM manifest type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors – the latter is related to behaviors, especially sedentary lifestyle, high-fat diets and aging[2]
Summary
There is growing evidence that an epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is occurring worldwide. The use of non-pharmacological therapy has been proposed as the first option for coping with this disease, improving the quality of life of these individuals and reducing the costs involved in their treatments[3]. One of the non-pharmacological treatment options for T2DM is physical activity (PA), which, if performed in a regular and satisfactory manner, promotes greater insulin sensitivity during the first 24 to 72 hours after the exercise session, increasing the glucose in the muscles and reducing blood glucose[4]. Even though regular PA is essential to prevent complications and improve the quality of life, the frequency of this activity is low in these populations[6]
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