New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Intensive lifestyle intervention provides modest improvement in glycemic control, reduced need for medication

Date:
August 15, 2017
Source:
The JAMA Network Journals
Summary:
A high amount and intensity of exercise along with a diet plan resulted in a modest reduction in blood glucose levels among adults with type 2 diabetes, but was accompanied by reductions in the use of glucose-lowering medications, according to a study.
Share:
FULL STORY

A high amount and intensity of exercise along with a diet plan resulted in a modest reduction in blood glucose levels among adults with type 2 diabetes, but was accompanied by reductions in the use of glucose-lowering medications, according to a study published by JAMA.

Although medication is effective in lowering hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes, it is also associated with potential adverse drug interactions, discomforts, increased economic costs and decreased quality of life. Lifestyle interventions are needed that are able to maintain glycemic control to at least the same extent as medication.

Mathias Ried-Larsen, Ph.D., with the Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, and colleagues randomly assigned adults with non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes who were diagnosed for less than 10 years to a standard care group (n = 34) or a lifestyle group (n = 64).

All participants received standard care with individual counseling and standardized, target-driven medical therapy. The lifestyle intervention included five to six weekly aerobic training sessions (duration 30-60 minutes), of which two to three sessions were combined with resistance training. The lifestyle participants received dietary plans aiming for a body mass index of 25 or less. Participants were followed up for 12 months.

From study entry to 12-month follow-up, the average HbA1c level changed from 6.65 percent to 6.34 percent in the lifestyle group and from 6.74 percent to 6.66 percent in the standard care group (average between-group difference in change of -0.26 percent), not meeting a prespecified criteria for equivalence between groups. Reduction in glucose-lowering medications occurred in 73.5 percent of participants in the lifestyle group and 26.4 percent of participants in the standard care group (difference, 47.1 percentage points).

The study notes some limitations, including that the self-reported dietary intake is subject to biases and limitations.

"Among adults with type 2 diabetes diagnosed for less than 10 years, a lifestyle intervention compared with standard care resulted in a change in glycemic control that did not reach the criterion for equivalence, but was in a direction consistent with benefit. Further research is needed to assess superiority, as well as generalizability and durability of findings," the authors write.


Story Source:

Materials provided by The JAMA Network Journals. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Mette Yun Johansen, Christopher Scott MacDonald, Katrine Bagge Hansen, Kristian Karstoft, Robin Christensen, Maria Pedersen, Louise Seier Hansen, Morten Zacho, Anne-Sophie Wedell-Neergaard, Signe Tellerup Nielsen, Ulrik Wining Iepsen, Henning Langberg, Allan Arthur Vaag, Bente Klarlund Pedersen, Mathias Ried-Larsen. Effect of an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA, 2017; 318 (7): 637 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2017.10169

Cite This Page:

The JAMA Network Journals. "Intensive lifestyle intervention provides modest improvement in glycemic control, reduced need for medication." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 August 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170815111018.htm>.
The JAMA Network Journals. (2017, August 15). Intensive lifestyle intervention provides modest improvement in glycemic control, reduced need for medication. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 11, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170815111018.htm
The JAMA Network Journals. "Intensive lifestyle intervention provides modest improvement in glycemic control, reduced need for medication." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170815111018.htm (accessed October 11, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES