Objective: To evaluate the impact on glucose control of a structured diabetes education concerning physical activity, delivered via the web/internet together with telemedical care (individualized feedback by phone).
Methods: Eighty-two individuals with type 1 (T1D) were included in the pre-race intervention and randomized into two groups: intervention (I) (n=48) and control (C) (n=48). Both groups received web-based training of sports and nutrition in relation to diabetes. The intervention group also received structured and individualized feedback on two different occasions. HbA1c was measured at baseline, after 3 and 6 months when a 45 km cross-country skiing race (the HalvVasa) was performed. Only the individuals attending the skiing race were eligible to be included in the study. Level of Physical Activity (LPA), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) and Confidence In Diabetes Self-care (CIDS) were assessed at baseline and after 7 months.
Results: HbA1c at start was 58.5 ± 10.0 (I) respectively 60.7 ± 9.5 (C) mmol/mol. At 3 months 56.7 ± 8.7 (I) respectively 61.0 ± 9.6 (C) mmol/mol and at 6 months 55.7 ± 8.1 (I) respectively 60.3 ± 9.7 (C) mmol/mol. A significant in (I) at 3 months: 2.2 ± 3.8 mmol/mol (0.7-3.7, 95% CI), (p<0.05) and after 6 months: 2.8 ± 5.5 mmol/mol (0.5-5.0, 95% CI), (p<0.05). No reduction was seen in (C). However between the two groups no difference was noted. The LPA was increased in 52% of the participants in (I) respectively 7% in (C), a significant difference, p<0.05. No differences were seen regarding HbA1c or LPA in the control group.
Conclusion: Education and individualized feedback, delivered via telemedicine, to physical active individuals with T1D resulted in improvements in glycemic control within the intervention group and improved level of physical activity and locus of control when compared to the control group(12) (PDF) Education and individualized support regarding exercise and diabetes improves glucose control and level of physical activity in type 1 diabetes individuals.
