Effectiveness of walking with pedometer and heart rate monitor on the quality of life and wellbeing in Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of the study was to analyze the effect of an eight week walking program using a pedometer and heart rate monitor (HRM) for evaluating exercise intensity compared with walking alone on quality of life and general wellbeing (GWB) in Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Forty adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to an eight week supervised program of walking alone (group A) and walking using pedometer and HRM (group B). A suitably designed and validated questionnaire was administered before and after eight weeks of training for all patients to assess the quality of life (ADDQoL-19) and general wellbeing (W-BQ12).

Results: At the end of the study, quality of life and general wellbeing scores were found markedly improved in both the groups. In group A, a statistically significant reduction was noted for seven items and in group B a statistically significant reduction was seen in eleven items of the quality of life questionnaire.

General wellbeing scores were improved in both groups by 26.2% in group A and 28.8% in group B (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Walking using a pedometer and heart rate monitor for assessing exercise intensity and motivation was found more effective than walking alone in improving quality of life and general wellbeing for Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes.

Key-words:

Type 2 Diabetes - Pedometer - Heart Rate Monitor - Quality of life - General Wellbeing

Publication History

Received: 15 June 2009

Accepted: 22 July 2009

Article published online:
23 May 2022