The Effect of Implementation Intention on Improving Physical Activity Level and Cardiovascular Fitness in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Control Study

Regular physical activity (PA) is one of the most effective recommendations to prevent diabetic complications. However, the reported level of PA is low in this group. This study evaluates intervention based on the implementation intention (II) theory, to improve the level of PA and the health of patients with diabetes.

This randomized control study was conducted on 124 patients with type 2 diabetic. The participants were randomly assigned in to two groups. PA level was measured by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Rockport test was used in order to measure Maximal oxygen consumption volume (vo2max). In the intervention group, Individuals were asked to identify details of the behavior of PA and their own strategies for removing the barriers of exercise. Post-tests took place 3 month later. Normal distributed data were analyzed using two independent and paired sample T-test. Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare PA level.

The results showed that although the median level of PA after the intervention (396) had increased. This difference was not statistically significant (P-value= 0.12). Also, after three months vo2max score (19.91) was not significantly different from before (P-value= 0.30).

Intervention based on II had no significant effect on level of PA in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using multiple methods, as well as incorporating it with motivating interventions should be investigated to increase the level of PA in this group.