A randomized trial investigating the 12-month changes in physical activity and health outcomes following a physical activity consultation delivered by a person or in written form in Type 2 diabetes: Time2Act

Physical activity is a cornerstone of Type 2 diabetes management but is underutilized. Physical activity consultations increase physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes but resources are often limited. Time2Act is a randomized control trial to study the 12-month effectiveness of a physical activity consultation delivered by a person or in written form, in contrast to standard care, for people with Type 2 diabetes. A total of 134 inactive people with Type 2 diabetes in a contemplation or preparation stage were randomized to either intervention or standard care. Objective (accelerometer) and subjective (7-day recall) physical activity levels were measured over 1 week, along with physiological [blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference] and biochemical [glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol] measures at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Neither a physical activity consultation delivered by a person nor in written form was better than standard care at increasing physical activity levels or improving health outcomes in the full study cohort. Total and HDL cholesterol, waist circumference and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved over 12 months in all groups, whilst HbA(1c) improved over 6 months. In a subgroup (baseline pedometer steps < 5000/day), the physical activity consultation delivered by a person significantly increased physical activity over 12 months and the standard care group significantly decreased. More research is needed which not only investigates the most economical and effective methods to promote physical activity, but also the best setting to conduct physical activity consultations and the participant factors affecting uptake of physical activity in Type 2 diabetes.