Engagement in e-cycling and the self-management of type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study in primary care.

Aidan Searle,Angie Page,Byron Tibbitts,Ashley Cooper,Jez Zahra,Emma Ranger

doi:10.3399/bjgpopen18x101638

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is important in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), however many people find it difficult to implement and/or sustain in the self-management of the condition. Electrically assisted cycling (e-cycling) may be viewed as a means of self-management in which effort is invested to balance the interplay of lifestyle factors and disease progression.AimTo explore engagement with an e-cycling intervention conducted with adults with T2DM.Design & settingProspective qualitative interview study with adults in central Bristol (UK) and surrounding suburbs, in the context of the self-management of T2DM in primary care.MethodInterviews were conducted with 20 individuals with T2DM (42–70 years, 11 male, 9 female) prior to their participation in a 20-week e-cycling intervention. Post-intervention interviews were conducted with 18 participants (11 male, 7 female). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductive thematic analysis was undertaken.ResultsParticipants were aware that PA contributed to the management of their diabetes. Engagement with e-cycling was viewed as both an acceptable and a social lifestyle intervention. Furthermore, participants were unhappy with the volume of medication used to manage their diabetes and e-cycling fostered autonomy in the management of T2DM. GPs and practice nurses were regarded as an important source of reliable information, and were considered to be best placed to talk about interventions to increase PA.ConclusionE-cycling is viewed as an acceptable form of PA to aid the self-management of T2DM. E-cycling may support people with T2DM to reduce their medication intake and in turn foster greater autonomy in managing the condition. The findings have implications for the role of primary care health professionals in supporting both patients and significant others in adoption of e-cycling.

Highlights

Physical activity (PA) is important in managing T2DM, many people find it difficult to implement and/or sustain such lifestyle changes following diagnosis.[1]
Participants were unhappy with the volume of medication used to manage their diabetes and e-cycling fostered autonomy in the management of T2DM
E-cycling is viewed as an acceptable form of PA to aid the self-management of T2DM

Summary

Introduction

PA is important in managing T2DM, many people find it difficult to implement and/or sustain such lifestyle changes following diagnosis.[1]. The adoption of ‘active travel’, such as walking and cycling, represents a convenient way of fostering engagement in daily PA. It was found, for example, that active commuting was associated with levels of moderate to vigorous PA in men and women with T2DM when compared to those commuting using motorised transport.[6] With half of all car journeys in the UK being 1–5 miles in length, the substitution of many car journeys for walking and/or cycling may be an achievable means of engagement in PA.[7]. Physical activity (PA) is important in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), many people find it difficult to implement and/or sustain in the self-management of the condition. Assisted cycling (e-cycling) may be viewed as a means of self-management in which effort is invested to balance the interplay of lifestyle factors and disease progression

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Discussion

Conclusion