Abstract
We compared the efficacy of activity monitor (which displays exercise intensity and number of steps) versus that of pedometer in exercise therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. The study subjects were divided into the activity monitor group (n = 92) and pedometer group (n = 95). The primary goal was improvement in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The exercise target was set at 8,000 steps/day and 20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (≥3.5 metabolic equivalents). The activity monitor is equipped with a triple-axis accelerometer sensor capable of measuring medium-intensity walking duration, number of steps, walking distance, calorie consumption, and total calorie consumption. The pedometer counts the number of steps. Blood samples for laboratory tests were obtained during the visits. The first examination was conducted at the start of the study and repeated at 2 and 6 months. A significant difference in the decrease in HbA1c level was observed between the two groups at 2 months. The results suggest that the use of activity level monitor that displays information on exercise intensity, in addition to the number of steps, is useful in exercise therapy as it enhances the concept of exercise therapy and promotes lowering of HbA1c in diabetic patients.
Highlights
Diet and exercise therapy form the basis of treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
The results showed that changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level purely due to exercise were noted in 14 subjects from each group (Figure 4(b))
The target activity was set in the present study at 3 metabolic equivalents (METs), moderately intensive exercise is effective in exercise therapy in T2DM patients [8]
Summary
Diet and exercise therapy form the basis of treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These two approaches are well known to improve blood glucose control [1]. Even while the effects of exercise therapy are well known, in reality, even when diet therapy is followed nearly by all patients, the percentage of patients who adhere to exercise therapy is only about 40% [5] The reasons for this low rate are that exercise therapy is not easy to implement in patients with no physical training background, time restrictions, and inability to maintain motivation. Another reason is that the actual techniques and goals of exercise therapy are often difficult to understand by both the patient and the instructor
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