Daily Life Physical Activity, Quality of Life and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Preliminary Study

Purpose: Many diabetic patients experience depression/anxiety and poor Quality of Life (QoL). Daily life Physical Activity (PA) is linked to improved depression/anxiety and QoL across various patients, but relevant studies in diabetic patients are scarce. This preliminary study examined if daily life PA is linked to better depression/anxiety and QoL in patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Methods: A total of 51 adult T2D outpatients (Mean age = 63.31 years; Standard Deviation = 13.88) completed questionnaires for PA, QoL and depression/anxiety. Descriptive and correlation statistics were computed for all variables of interest. Hierarchical regression analysis examined if days of PA at light, moderate or vigorous intensity predict improved depression/anxiety and QoL. Results: The sample was insufficiently active; also, 32% showed poor QoL, and 22% and 30%, respectively, had at least moderate depression or anxiety symptoms. Days of PA at light and moderate but not at vigorous intensity demonstrated small-to-moderate inverse correlations with improved depression/anxiety and QoL. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that, after controlling for age and body mass index, days of PA at light and moderate intensities predicted lower depression and explained 39% of the variance, whereas only days of PA at light intensity predicted lower anxiety and better QoL, explaining, respectively, 30% and 40% of the variance. Discussion: This preliminary study for adults with T2D found that days of light and moderate intensity PA were linked to improved depression, but days of only light intensity PA were linked to improved anxiety and QoL. Findings are encouraging, especially since our sample was insufficiently active. However, larger samples with T2D adults are needed for firmer conclusions.