BACKGROUND: Exercise-based interventions prevent or delay symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and are highly recommended for T2D patients; though with very low participation rates. Τelerehabilitation (TR) could act as an alternative to overcome the barriers preventing the promotion of T2D patients' well-being. AIM: Determine the effects of a six-week TR program on glycemic control, functional capacity, muscle strength, PA, quality of life and body composition in patients with T2D. DESIGN: A multicenter randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical study. SETTING: Clinical trial. POPULATION: Patients with T2D. METHODS: Thirty T2D patients (75% male, 60.1±10.9 years) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG) with no exercise intervention. IG enrolled in a supervised, individualized exercise program (combination of aerobic and resistance exercises), 3 times/week for 6 weeks at home via a TR platform. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), six-minute walk test (6MWT), muscle strength (Hand Grip Strength Test [HGS], 30-Second Chair Stand test [30CST] physical activity [IPAQ-SF]), quality of life (SF-36) and anthropometric variables were assessed. RESULTS: Two-way repeated-ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction between group, time and test differences (6MWT, muscle strength) (V=0.33, F [2.17]=4.14, P=0.03, partial η2=0.22). Paired samples t-test showed a statistically significant improvement in HbA1c (Z=-2.7), 6MWT (Μean ∆=-36.9±27.2 m, t=-4.5), muscle strength (Μean ∆=-1.5±1.4 kg, t=-2.22). Similarly, SF-36 (mental health [Μean ∆=-13.3±21.3%], general health [Μean ∆=-11.4±16.90%]) were statistically improved only in IG. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that a 6-week supervised home-based TR exercise program induced significant benefits in patients with T2D, thus enabling telehealth implementation in rehabilitation practice as an alternative approach. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Home-based exercise via the TR platform is a feasible and effective alternative approach that can help patients with T2D eliminate barriers and increase overall rehabilitation utilization.

Clinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory Department of Physiotherapy Faculty of Health Sciences University of Thessaly Lamia Greece

Department of Internal Medicine General Hospital of Lamia Lamia Greece

Department of Public Health Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Rehabilitation University Hospital of Brno Brno Czech Republic

Medical Diabetology Practice Lamia Greece

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