Physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Promoting physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes: a pilot study to explore tools for delivery and outcomes of diabetes-specific education

  • IRAS ID

    233752

  • Contact name

    Sandra MacRury

  • Contact email

    sandra.macrury@uhi.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of the Highlands and Islands

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 20 days

  • Research summary

    It is estimated that 415 million people around the globe are affected by diabetes, with type 2 diabetes accounting for 90% of cases. The condition can lead to macrovascular and microvascular complications, placing significant stress on patients, caregivers and the health service.
    Studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity and dietary modification has significant benefit in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, despite the overwhelming evidence, physical activity uptake among this group is very low. Therefore, novel strategies are required to highlight the benefits of regular physical activity. One such strategy is to make use of web-based technology to promote physical activity. Previous research has indicated that web-based information may be a more effective promotion tool than written information.
    The proposed study will examine attitudes towards and implementation of a web-based physical activity educational tool kit developed by the University of the Highlands and Islands for use by non-health care practitioners. The tool kit will aim to deliver a personalised physical activity program for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Focus groups comprising health care practitioners, personal trainers and people with type 2 diabetes will be carried out to gauge opinion on the contents and barriers to use of the educational tool kit. In an attempt to identify key themes, group discussions will be recorded and analysed by specialist software. This information will then be used to refine and improve the web based tool kit.
    Thereafter a pilot intervention study will be carried out to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the toolkit for people with type 2 diabetes when implemented by personal trainers over a period of 6 months.

  • REC name

    London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/0672

  • Date of REC Opinion

    30 Apr 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion