Effect of progressive pedometer based walking intervention on quality of life and general well being among patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: To determine the effectiveness of two goal setting pedometer based walking program for people with type 2 diabetes, one employing supervised exercise group with pedometer and the other employing self reported group with pedometer. METHODS: A total of 102 type 2 diabetic outpatients (28 women, 74 men) between the age of 40-70 years were recruited and randomly allocated into 3 groups: supervised exercise group with pedometer (Group A), self reported exercise group with pedometer (Group B) and a control group (Group C) for 16 weeks. Subjects were asked to respond to the Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) and well being questionnaire at two occasions i.e. 0 week and after 16 weeks of intervention. Paired t test were used within the groups to compare Mean ± SD for all the parameters at baseline and at the end of 16 weeks. Differences between the groups were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical difference was further analyzed by Post hoc analysis using Bonferroni method. RESULTS: The item “Freedom to eat” had the highest negative impact among all the subgroups. Other domains that were adversely affected by diabetes are ‘leisure activity’, ’do physically’, ‘physical appearance’, ‘self confidence’, ‘future’ and ‘financial situation’. In the group A significant reduction were noted among all the items except long distance journey (p<0.05). In the group B participants experienced reduction among all the domains except long distance journey, sex life and living condition. CONCLUSION: Pedometer determined activity has the potential to improve the quality of life. Supervised Walking using a pedometer was found more effective in improving quality of life and general wellbeing for Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY INDIA (CTRI): [CTRI/2012/10/003034].