Economic evaluation of physical activity interventions for type 2 diabetes management: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Economic evaluation of physical activity interventions has become an important area for policymaking considering the high costs attributable to physical inactivity. However, the evidence for such interventions targeting type 2 diabetes control is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to synthesize economic evaluation studies of physical activity interventions for type 2 diabetes management. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement (PROSPERO reference number CRD42021231021). An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and NHS Economic Evaluation Database. Studies were eligible if they included: adults with type 2 diabetes; any physical activity intervention in the community settings; an experimental or quasi-experimental design; and a parameter of economic evaluation [cost analysis of interventions, cost-effectiveness analysis (including cost-utility analysis) and cost-benefit analysis] as an outcome. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in this review: seven were randomized controlled trials and three were quasi-experimental studies. All studies included direct costs, and four also included indirect costs. Four studies demonstrated that physical activity interventions were cost-saving, six studies showed cost-effectiveness, and two studies reported cost-utility. The estimates varied considerably across the studies with different analytical and methodological approaches. CONCLUSION: Overall, this systematic review found that physical activity interventions are a worth investment for type 2 diabetes management. However, comparability across interventions was limited due to heterogeneity in interventions type, design and delivery, which may explain the differences in the economic measures.