Online Physical Exercise and Group Sessions to Increase and Maintain Physical Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Single-Arm Feasibility Study

Sofie Rath Mortensen; Mathilde Espe Pedersen; Søren T Skou; Mathias Ried-Larsen

doi:10.3390/ijerph20042893

Online Physical Exercise and Group Sessions to Increase and Maintain Physical Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Single-Arm Feasibility Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 7;20(4):2893. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20042893.

Authors

Sofie Rath Mortensen^{1

2}, Mathilde Espe Pedersen³, Søren T Skou^{2

4}, Mathias Ried-Larsen^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ The Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.
² The Research Unit PROgrez, Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Naestved-Slagelse-Ringsted Hospitals, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark.
³ Centre for Physical Activity Research, Rigshospitalet, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
⁴ Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.

Abstract

Current physical activity interventions for individuals with Type 2 diabetes do not accommodate the needs of the individual in terms of content, time, and location. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week high intensity online physical exercise intervention combined with online group meetings and supported by an activity watch in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. This study was designed as a one-armed feasibility study and the intervention was developed using a co-creation approach. A total of 19 individuals with Type 2 diabetes participated in eight weeks of 30 min online physical exercise intervention followed by 30 min online group meetings in smaller groups once a week. Outcomes included pre-defined research progression criteria, secondary measurements of health parameters, and participant feedback. Most research progression criteria reached a level of acceptance, with the exception of participant recruitment, burden of objectively measured physical activity, and adverse events, where changes are needed before continuing to an RCT. Combining online physical exercise with online group meetings supported by an activity watch is feasible and acceptable in individuals with Type 2 diabetes with a higher educational level compared to the general population with Type 2 diabetes.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05668442.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; accelerometer; eHealth; feasibility studies; online physical exercise; physical activity; wearables.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
Exercise*
Feasibility Studies
Health Promotion
Humans
Internet-Based Intervention*

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05668442

Grants and funding

PhD-student Sofie Rath Mortensen is funded by a Faculty Scholarship from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, a program grant from Region Zealand (Exercise First), a research grant from Næstved-Slagelse-Ringsted Hospitals Research Fund, a research grant from The Health Science Research Fund of Region Zealand, and a research grant from Steno Diabetes Center Sjælland. Dr. Skou is currently funded by a program grant from Region Zealand (Exercise First) and two grants from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, one from the European Research Council (MOBILIZE, grant agreement No. 801790) and the other under grant agreement No 945377 (ESCAPE). Dr. Ried-Larsen and research assistant Mathilde Espe Pedersen are funded by TrygFonden. The project is supported by an additional grant from TrygFonden (ID: 124708).