Impact of an Aerobic Exercise Programme on Blood Glucose and Depression in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Kano

Abstract

Physical exercises are an essential part of the treatment regimen for diabetes and are administered for the different beneficial effects produced.  This study explored the influence of moderate intensity treadmill running on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and depression in sedentary patients  with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The method used in this study consisted of the following: Forty patients (age: 37.9±5.87years) reporting at a diabetes  out-patient clinic for routine follow-up care were randomised to a treadmill running group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The exercise group  engaged in a 12-week thrice weekly programme of treadmill running (duration per session = 30 minutes, progressed to 40 minutes) and the control  group received information on ways to avoid complications in diabetes. In both groups, FPG was analysed using glucose oxidise assay while the  Beck Depression Inventory was administered to assess depression. The result obtained at the end of the intervention indicated that there was  significant improvement in FPG and depressive symptoms with the exercise. No significant changes were observed in these parameters over time in  the control group (P>0.05). Comparison of group difference at follow up, shows a statistically significant difference in favour of the exercise  training (P<0.05). It was concluded that the aerobic exercise programme was an important adjunctive therapy that elicited decrease in FPG and  depressive symptoms in sedentary individuals with T2D.