Short- and long-term effects of a need-supportive physical activity intervention among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled pilot trial

Objective This pilot trial evaluated the short- and long-term effects of a six-week need-supportive physical activity (PA) intervention among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, on health-related (HbA1c and physical fitness) and behavioral (objectively-measured and self-reported PA) outcomes. Methods To support the basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence, the intervention included one in- and outtake session with a PA coach, an individualized PA program and a weekly PA group session. The intervention was set up in collaboration with a health insurance fund and with general practitioners. A total of forty-eight patients participated in the study and were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 27) or a waiting-list control condition (n = 21). Results Linear mixed models did not reveal any significant interaction effects between time and condition (ps > .05). However, significant time effects across conditions were found: a decrease in HbA1c at short term and increases in self-reported PA at both short and long term and in physical fitness at long term (ps < .05). Conclusion Although the intervention as a whole did not produce the expected impact, there seems a potential for brief but regular expert visit and measurement.