Effect of tele-rehabilitation on glucose control, exercise capacity, physical fitness, muscle strength and psychosocial status in patients with type 2 diabetes: A double blind randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

To determine the effect of a tele-rehabilitation (TR) program on glucose control, exercise capacity, physical fitness, muscle strength and psychosocial status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Fifty type 2 DM participants were enrolled in the study and divided randomly into two groups; TR (n = 25, mean age: 52.82 ± 11.86) or control (n = 25, mean age: 53.04 ± 10.45) group. Participants in the TR group performed breathing and callisthenic exercises, three times a week, for 6 weeks, at home by internet based video conferences. Outcome measures including, HbA1c level, 6 min walk testing, physical fitness and muscle strength dynamometer measurement, Beck Depression Inventory were performed before and after the 6 weeks. HbA1c (p = 0.00), 6 min walking distance (p = 0.00), physical fitness subparameters; sit-up (p = 0.00), sit-and-reach (p = 0.04), back scratch (p = 0.00), lateral flexion right (p = 0.04), left (p = 0.00) and time up go tests (p = 0.00), muscles strength (p = 0.00); deltoideus-anterior, middle, quadriceps femoris and gluteus maximus, and depression levels (p = 0.00) changed significantly (p = 0.00) in TR groups. There were no significant improvements in control group (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that TR interventions found to be safe and effective, and may be an alternative treatment model for type 2 DM management. In addition to these health benefits, patients and rehabilitation team may save time, labor and treatment costs by using TR.