Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is most common in developed countries due to negative lifestyle changes, increasing economic growth, and urbanization. A recent research study conducted in Saudi Arabia revealed a higher prevalence of T2D there. The WHO states that a lack of physical exercise is a major risk factor for T2D. The study aims to ascertain the impact of an exercise regimen on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with T2D in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Method: A randomized controlled trial was used to examine 118 T2D patients chosen from King Saud Medical City's internal medicine clinic. Subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention group (routine care and physical exercise) and control group (routine care and only education). Each patient completed the WHO Questionnaire (WHOQOL - BREF) at the beginning and two months later. Additionally, every subject filled out the IPAQ physical activity questionnaire at baseline and at the one- and two-month follow-up.
Results: On average, participants in the intervention group were 48.52±5.91 years old, while those in the control group were 49.42±6.26 years old. Prior to the intervention, both groups' QOL was identical in every dimension. Following the intervention, significant differences in the physical, psychological, and environmental scores between the two groups were observed (P values of 0.002, 0.001, and 0.02, respectively).
Conclusion: The physical exercise package significantly impacted all domains of QOL except for social relationships.

Key words: Type 2 diabetes, quality of life, physical activity.