Abstract
The aim was to investigate the effects of physical activity on prescription (PAP)
compared with standard care (SC) in adult drug-naïve T2D patients. A
randomized control trial was conducted with drug-naïve T2D patients
attending an out-patient clinic Vietnam. Participants were randomly assigned to
the PAP group (n+=+44) or the SC group
(n+=+43). The PAP group received individualized
recommendations for PA, intensive face-to-face training every two weeks. The SC
group received the standard recommendations according to WHO guidelines. The
mean HbA1c level change was larger
(–10.6±6.4 mmol/mol) in the PAP group than in
the SC group (–2.4±5.8 mmol/mol)
(p<0.001). A one thousand step counts per day increase was significantly
associated with a decrease of –2.43 mmol/mol in HbA1c
[β=–2.43, 95%CI: (–2.94, –1.92])
in the PAP group. The fasting plasma glucose levels of the PAP group decreased
significantly compared with the SC group. The VO2-max increased significantly
more in the PAP group than in the SC group. PAP had clear positive effects on
health-related Quality of Life [mean between group difference: 9.54
(95%CI 5.84,13.23)]. Insulin resistance, BMI, waist circumference, total
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly more decreased
in the PAP group than in the control group. In conclusion, the fact that even a
small change in mean step counts over three months had a beneficial effect on
health-related outcomes in drug-naïve T2D patients can have large
implications for treatment and management practices, not least in a
middle-income country like Vietnam.
Key words
exercise - Vietnam - diabetes
