Effects of Home-based Physical Activity in Saudi Arabian Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Effects of a Home-based Physical Activity Programme on Blood Biomarkers and Health-related Quality of Life Indices in Saudi Arabian Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

The World Health Organization ranks Saudi Arabia as having the 7th highest rate of type-2 diabetes in the world. This therefore makes diabetes the most challenging health problem facing Saudi Arabia. Importantly, physical activity has been shown to improve disease symptoms and overall health in patients with type-2 diabetes. However, findings relating to the prevalence of physical inactivity in the Saudi population confirm that a sedentary lifestyle is on the rise, within physical inactivity levels in adults being 80.5%. Therefore, interventions aimed at reducing physical inactivity using bespoke modalities pertinent to Saudi Arabia are clearly warranted.

The purpose of this research project is to undertake a feasibility randomised control trial, examining the effects of a 12-week home-based physical activity programme on HbA1c, blood lipids, fasting glucose and other indices of health-related quality of life in Saudi Arabian adults with type-2 diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinically established diagnosis of type-2 diabetes for at least 12 months
• Previously sedentary
• Knowledgeable about hypoglycemia
• Aged over 18 years
• Capacity to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment precluding consent or participation
• Pregnancy
• Additional medical conditions that prevent safe physical activity (e.g. severe arthritis or advanced heart failure)
• Enrolment in any other clinical trial designed to influence type-2 diabetes symptoms.