Feasibility Of ULMedX In Improving Physical Activity, Function, And Mental Health Of Type 2 Diabetes Participants

Referral to and engagement in community-based exercise programmes can support management of chronic disease. However, their effects on physical and mental health, physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) among adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) remain understudied. PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of ULMedX, a structured, supervised, community-based exercise program, to improve physical and mental health, PA, and ST in adults with T2D. METHODS: 25 adults with T2DM were referred from healthcare professionals to the ULMedX T2D programme; 18 (72%) enrolled. Participants engaged in 12-weeks of twice-weekly group-based exercise sessions designed to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, supplemented by local muscular endurance training of major muscle groups. Aerobic capacity (6-minute walk test (6MWT)), depressive symptom severity (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology (QIDS)), anxiety symptoms (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait subscale (STAI-T)), and PA and ST (device-based via activPAL3TM accelerometer) were assessed at baseline and 12-week follow-up. Paired t-tests analysed parametric data (STAI-T, 6MWT, PA, ST); non-normal QIDS data were analysed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Standardised mean differences assessed change magnitude. RESULTS: Attrition was 27.7% (n = 5). Mean attendance was 56.1 ± 27.51%. Common reasons for missed sessions included planned holiday (10.9%), illness (7.37%), or work (6.73%). There were no significant differences in aerobic capacity (p ≥ 0.15, d = -0.30, SMD = 0.53), depressive symptoms (p > 0.06, d = 0.57, SMD = -0.39) or anxiety symptoms (p > 0.07, d = 0.46, SMD = -0.63). ST non-significantly increased by 0.48 hours (p > 0.14, d = -0.35). Light intensity PA non-significantly decreased by six minutes (p > 0.37, d = 0.10), with no change in moderate-to-vigorous PA (24 minutes at both timepoints (p > 0.49, d = -0.002). CONCLUSION: Referral to and enrolment in community-based exercise were relatively high among adults with T2D. However, changes in aerobic capacity, anxiety and depressive symptoms, PA and ST ranged from trivial-to-moderate magnitude and were not statistically significant. Low mean attendance (i.e., exercise dose) and a potential negative compensatory effect on extra-intervention activity plausibly influenced findings. Supported by: Health and Wellbeing Division, Health Service Executive in Community Healthcare Organisation 3