A study to assess the effectiveness of home based aerobic training, muscle strengthening and stretching exercise on self management among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) at selected villages in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu

Context: Demonstration of exercise among individuals with diabetes mellitus include both aerobic and muscle strengthening, stretching exercise training although some studies have proved this exercise combination. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of aerobic training, muscle strengthening and stretching exercise training on hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) among individuals with diabetes mellitus. Design: The design was a Single blinded true - experimental study using a quantitative approach. Setting: Maraimalai nagar and 9 villages at Mamandoor, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu India. Participants: 400 (200 study + 200 Control) patients who had been undergoing treatment for DM were selected by purposive sampling. HbA1c levels of 6.5% or higher were enrolled in the 3 months’ exercise program me between August 2013 and September 2014. Intervention: 200 participants were assigned to the study group, 200 in control group and engaged in muscle strengthening and stretching exercise training daily for 30 minutes for 3 months with nutritional counseling every 15 days. Main outcome: Change in HbA1c level. Secondary outcomes include Anthropometric measurement. Results: The study revealed the overall post interventional result showed from the baseline compared to control group there was an absolute mean change in walking exercise and stretching exercise (p<0.01), hemoglobin A(1c), (HbA1c) at (p<0.01), and waist hip ratio (WHR) (p<0.01). There was an improvement in exercise pattern, HbA(1c) and WHR among patient with diabetes mellitus after the stretching exercise training program. Conclusion: As hypothesized the study concluded that Community based care is the ideal one to develop specific intervention, to manage DM, to maintain the healthy condition and to prevent complications.