Predictors of physical inactivity in men and women with type 2 diabetes from the Detection of Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetics (DIAD) study

Effects of exercise therapy on diabetic neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of exercise therapy on neuropathic symptoms, signs, psychosocial aspects, and physical function in people with diabetic neuropathy (DN).

METHODS

A search in PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence (PEDro), and Cochrane databases was performed from inception to Invalid Date NaN, . Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were selected in patients with DN comparing exercise therapy with a control group. The studies' methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the overall quality.

RESULTS

Eleven RCTs (n = 517 participants) were included. Nine studies showed high methodological quality. Mean (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were observed in favor of exercise therapy for symptoms (MD = -1.05; confidence interval 95% = -1.90 to -0.20), signs (SMD = -0.66; confidence interval 95%= -1 to -0.32), and physical function (SMD = -0.45; confidence interval 95% = -0.66 to -0.24). No changes were found in psychosocial aspects (SMD = -0.37; confidence interval 95% = -0.92 to 0.18). The overall quality of evidence was very low.

CONCLUSION

The quality of evidence suggesting that exercise therapy provides short-term benefits in neuropathic symptoms, signs, and physical function in patients with DN is very low. Furthermore, there were no effects found on psychosocial aspects.

The effects of wearing textured versus smooth shoe insoles for 4-weeks in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE

To determine whether short-term wear of textured insoles alters balance, gait, foot sensation, physical activity, or patient-reported outcomes, in people with diabetic neuropathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

53 adults with diabetic neuropathy were randomised to wear textured or smooth insoles for 4-weeks. At baseline and post-intervention, balance (foam/firm surface; eyes open/closed) and walking were assessed whilst barefoot, wearing shoes only, and two insoles (textured/smooth). The primary outcome was center of pressure (CoP) total sway velocity. Secondary outcomes included other CoP measures, spatiotemporal gait measures, foot sensation, physical activity, and patient-reported outcomes (foot health, falls efficacy).

RESULTS

Wearing textured insoles led to improvements in CoP measures when standing on foam with eyes open, relative to smooth insoles (p ≤ 0.04). The intervention group demonstrated a 5% reduction in total sway velocity, indicative of greater balance. The intervention group also showed a 9-point improvement in self-perceived vigour (p = 0.03). Adjustments for multiple comparisons were not applied.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides weak statistical evidence in favour of textured insoles. Wearing textured insoles may alter measures of balance, suggestive of greater stability, in people with diabetic neuropathy. Plantar stimulation, through textured insoles, may have the capacity to modulate the perception of foot pain, leading to improved well-being.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONShort-term wear of textured insoles can lead to improvements in centre of pressure sway measures when standing on a compliant supporting surface.Wearing textured insoles may have the capacity to help relieve foot pain leading to enhanced self-perceived vitality in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Burden of disability in type 2 diabetes mellitus and the moderating effects of physical activity

The growing diabetic epidemic has created a substantial burden, not only on the people with diabetes but also on society at large. This mini-review discussed the limitations and patterns of disability in type 2 diabetes mellitus and put forward a case for the moderating effects of physical activity (PA) in the management of diabetes. The limitations and impairments associated with diabetes include vascular, neurological, cardiac, and renal impairments. Moreover, individuals participate less in their daily lives and in their instrumental activities of daily living, which negatively impacts the quality of life of individuals with diabetes. This often leads to a loss of quality of life due to disabilities, resulting in an increased rate of disability-adjusted life years among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, there are psychosocial sequelae of diabetes mellitus. This necessitates looking for moderating factors that may reduce the burden of the disease. PA has been shown to be one of the factors that can mitigate these burdens. PA does this in several ways, including through the benefits it confers, such as a reduction of hemoglobin A1c, a reduction of excess fat in the liver and pancreas, and the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, all of which favorably affect glycemic parameters. Specifically, PA regulates or moderates diabetes disability through two mechanisms: The regulation of glucolipid metabolism disorders and the optimization of body mass index and systemic conditions. Therefore, efforts should be directed at PA uptake through identified strategies. This will not only prevent diabetes or diabetes complications but will reduce its burden.

Sex Differences in Physical Activity Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Across the Life Span: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment. Sex differences in PA behavior or barriers/facilitators to PA among individuals with T2DM are unclear.

PURPOSE

To summarize the evidence related to sex differences in participation in PA and barriers/facilitators to PA among individuals with T2DM across the life span.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic searches (CRD42021254246) were conducted with Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), APA PsychInfo, and SPORTDiscus.

STUDY SELECTION

We included studies with assessment of PA, sedentary behaviors (SB), or barriers/facilitators to PA among individuals with T2DM by sex or gender.

DATA EXTRACTION

Participant characteristics, meeting PA guidelines, participation in PA and SB, and barriers/facilitators to PA were extracted by two independent reviewers.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 53 articles (65,344 participants) were included in the systematic review and 21 articles in the meta-analysis. Sex differences were not observed in meeting of PA guidelines among adolescents (odds ratio 0.70 [95% CI 0.31, 1.59]), but males were more likely than females to meet PA guidelines among adults (1.65 [1.36, 2.01]) and older adults (1.63 [1.27, 2.09]). Males performed more moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than females across all age-groups. Common barriers to PA were lack of time (men) and lack of social support and motivation (women).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include heterogeneity of measures used to assess PA and lack of stratification of data by sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex differences in meeting PA guidelines were not observed among adolescents but were apparent among adults and older adults with T2DM. Females consistently engaged in less MVPA than males across the life span.

Association between chronic diseases, multimorbidity and insufficient physical activity among older adults in southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Being active has been shown to have beneficial effects for the health of individuals with chronic diseases. However, data on the association between multimorbidity and physical activity are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between chronic diseases, multimorbidity and insufficient physical activity among older adults in southern Brazil, according to sex.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional population-based and household-based study derived from the second wave (2013-2014) of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study.

METHODS

Insufficiency of physical activity (outcome) was ascertained using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (≤ 150 minutes/week). Eleven self-reported chronic diseases were identified. Multimorbidity was defined from the number of chronic diseases (none; 2 or 3; or 4 or more). The adjustment variables were age, schooling, marital status, income, smoking, alcohol consumption and cognition. Additionally, each chronic disease was adjusted for the others. Associations were tested using logistic regression (crude and adjusted).

RESULTS

Among the 1197 participants (≥ 63 years), women (54.0%) were more likely than men (39.6%) to be insufficiently active. In the adjusted analysis, women and men with depressive symptoms, and men with diabetes, were more likely to be insufficiently active than those without symptoms. Multimorbid women were more likely to be insufficiently active, and the magnitude of the effect was strongest for 4 or more diseases.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the associations were sex-specific. Depressive symptoms and multimorbidity were associated with insufficient physical activity among women, while diabetes was associated with insufficient physical activity among men.

Influence of sex on the incidence of potential coronary artery disease and long-term outcomes in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus

Background

Diabetic patients often have coronary artery disease (CAD) without symptoms. It is known that females tend to have silent or less chest pain and worse prognoses when they develop acute coronary syndrome. Thus, sex differences may impact long-term outcomes in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with silent myocardial ischemia (SMI). The present study aimed to assess the influence of sex on long-term outcomes in DM patients with SMI.

Methods

A total of 461 consecutive asymptomatic and self-sufficient DM patients seen at our hospital from 2011 to 2017 were prospectively reviewed. Patients underwent an ergometer exercise test. When the exercise test was positive or the patient could not achieve 90% of their target heart rate, coronary angiography was performed. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Results

SMI was diagnosed in 81 patients. The median follow-up duration from diagnosis was 35 (15-57) months. The incidence of SMI was similar in females and males [34/170 (20%) vs. 47/291 (16.2%), p = 0.36]. Enrolled patients were divided into four groups according to sex and the presence/absence of SMI. Female patients with SMI showed worse clinical outcomes. After adjustment for age and coronary risk factors, female SMI was independently associated with MACCEs [hazard ratio 2.59, 95% confidence interval 1.07-5.68, p = 0.024], while male SMI was not.

Conclusions

Female SMI was associated with worse long-term outcomes in DM patients. Early diagnosis of potential SMI and appropriate care are required in female DM patients. (UMIN000038340).

Self-efficacy to Engage in Physical Activity and Overcome Barriers, Sedentary Behavior, and Their Relation to Body Mass Index Among Elderly Indonesians With Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Elderly individuals with diabetes should maintain a normal body mass index (BMI) to help control their blood glucose levels. This study investigated barriers to physical activity (PA), self-efficacy to overcome those barriers, and PA self-efficacy among elderly individuals with diabetes in relation to BMI.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 56 participants. Data were collected by a questionnaire interview and direct measurements for anthropometric data. PA self-efficacy was measured using 8 questions describing different levels of PA, where participants rated the strength of their belief that they could engage in that activity. Self-efficacy to overcome barriers was measured using 10 questions capturing participants' confidence in their ability to engage in PA despite different possible barriers. Mean scores for these parameters were analyzed using the chi-square test and the independent t-test.

RESULTS

In total, 89.3% of participants had a low PA level and 58.9% had more than 3 hours of sedentary activity per day. Furthermore, 55.4% were obese and 14.3% were overweight. The mean scores for PA self-efficacy and self-efficacy to overcome barriers were 59.1± 26.4 and 52.5±13.8, respectively. PA level was related to BMI (p<0.001; r=0.116) and sedentary activity (p<0.05; r=0.274). PA self-efficacy and age were not related to BMI. Barriers to PA were associated with PA levels (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical inactivity was a major problem in elderly individuals with diabetes, and was correlated with higher BMI. Lower levels of PA might be mediated by sedentary activity.

Physical inactivity and cardiac events: An analysis of the Detection of Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetics (DIAD) study

AIMS

Diabetes affects 29 million adults, and the majority have type 2 diabetes (T2D). Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death, and physical inactivity is an important risk factor. The aims of this study were to examine the contribution of physical inactivity to CAD events, and to identify the independent predictors of CAD events in a sample of older adults with T2D.

METHOD

A secondary data analysis of the prospective randomized screening trial "Detection of Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetics (DIAD)" study. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to examine the outcome of CAD events.

RESULTS

During the five years of follow-up, the CAD event rate for all subjects (n = 1119) was 8.4% (n = 94). In unadjusted analysis, physical inactivity was significantly associated with development of a CAD event. In the final model, nine baseline variables were significant predictors (p < 0.05) of a CAD: physical inactivity, race, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), peripheral numbness, insulin use, increasing waist-to-hip ratio, family history of premature CAD, and a higher pulse pressure. In men only, there were five predictors (p < 0.05) of a CAD event: diabetes duration, peripheral numbness, HbA1c, increasing waist-to-hip ratio, and higher pulse pressure. The final model in women included three independent predictors (p < 0.05) of a CAD event: diabetes duration, a family history of premature CAD, and higher pulse pressure.

CONCLUSION

Several variables predicted CAD events in this sample of older adults with T2D. Understanding baseline characteristics that heighten risk may assist providers in intervening early to prevent its occurrence.

Barriers to and motivators for physical activity among people with Type 2 diabetes: patients' perspectives

AIM

To explore barriers to and motivators for physical activity in a group of overweight and obese individuals with dysregulated Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Data were collected from the Steno Diabetes Center's outpatient clinic in Denmark. Four focus groups were conducted including 28 individuals with Type 2 diabetes aged 39-71 years. The facilitators used open-ended questions and probes such as images, statements and quotations about physical activity to foster active participation and interaction among participants. Focus groups were recorded on video and the discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

We identified four main themes: 1) the body as a barrier to physical activity because of functional limitations; 2) logistical challenges, including lack of time and awareness of where to exercise in the local area; 3) being physically active with others, providing a sense of mutual commitment and enjoyment; and 4) goal-setting and self-tracking, which was seen as an opportunity to track physical improvement over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that, once people are active, a high level of social interaction may help maintain their activity levels. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of combining individually tailored exercise plans with the establishment of customized and locally based exercise communities that offer enjoyment and support. Additionally, it is relevant to explore experiences of using self-tracking technologies to review short- and long-term goals.

Physical Activity in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors associated with engaging in regular physical activity (PA) in adults with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Secondary cross-sectional analysis based on data from the Type One Diabetes Exchange clinic registry was conducted. Adults ≥18 years old enrolled in the clinic registry who had completed PA self-report data (n = 7153) were included in this study.

RESULTS

Mean age was 37.14 ± 17 years, and 54% (n = 3840) were men. Type 1 diabetes duration was 19.5 ± 13.5 years, and mean A1C level was 7.9% ± 1.5% (62 mmol/mol). Twelve percent (n = 848) of the sample reported no PA; 55% (n = 3928) reported PA 1 to 4 days per week; and 33% (n = 2377) reported PA ≥5 days per week. Factors that were associated with increased odds of no PA were older age, less-than-excellent general health, increased body mass index, longer duration of diabetes, and increased depressive symptoms. More blood glucose meter checks per day decreased odds of no PA. Factors associated with lower odds of ≥5 days of PA included minority race/ethnicity, education, less-than-excellent general health, presence of a foot ulcer, increased body mass index, and depressive symptoms. Male sex, less-than-full-time employment, and being single increased the odds of ≥5 days of PA.

CONCLUSIONS

Several demographic, clinical, diabetes-related, and psychosocial factors were related to PA. Potential interventions may target those with depressive symptoms or self-reported poor general health, or they may be tailored to working adults who may find it harder to be physically active.