Changes of Physical Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes after Exercise Training in a Municipality or a Hospital Setting

Introduction. The aim was to compare changes in physical function and quality of life (QOL) after an exercise training programme to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a municipality and a hospital setting and to compare the patients' physical function and QOL with an age- and sex-matched general population. Methods. Patients with T2DM were stratified to exercise training in a municipality (n=26) or a hospital (n=46), respectively. The training was one hour twice weekly for 12 weeks. The outcomes were physical function (30 sec chair stand test (CST)) and QOL (using the SF-36). The data for the general population were collected from previous reference studies. Results. Fifty-one (71%) participants completed the intervention. The CST results improved in both groups with no difference between the municipality and hospital groups (1.6 [0.1; 3.1] vs. 3.5 [2.3; 4.8] no., respectively, p=0.062). The QOL scales physical function and general health increased more in the municipality group than in the hospital group (10.5 [2.8; 18.2] vs. -1.2 [-7.9; 5.5], respectively, p=0.031, and 8.3 [2.3; 14.4] vs. -0.2 [-5.6; 5.1], respectively, p=0.042). Dropout (n=21) during the intervention was associated with reduced QOL at baseline. The patients' CST results at baseline were reduced compared to the general population (11.8 & PLUSMN;3.5vs.18.9 & PLUSMN;3.3, respectively, p < 0.001). All QOL scales apart from social function were reduced in the patients compared to the general population. Conclusion. Patients in a 12-week exercise training programme in a hospital or a municipality setting had significantly lower QOL compared to an age- and sex-matched population sample. Similar improvements in physical function were observed in patients after completion of the exercise programme irrespective of exercise setting, whereas patient exercising in a municipality setting had higher positive changes in QOL than patients undergoing the same exercise programme in a hospital setting.

Automated summary

This study aimed to compare changes in physical function and quality of life (QOL) after an exercise training program in a municipality and a hospital setting for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to compare the patients' physical function and QOL with an age- and sex-matched general population. The results showed that there were similar improvements in physical function for patients in both settings, but patients in the municipality setting had higher positive changes in QOL compared to those in the hospital setting.