Endocrine Abstracts

Structured, exercise-based lifestyle programmes offer potential to improve glycaemic control and address psychosocial challenges for people living with type 2 diabetes. This retrospective cohort study assessed the impact of a 10-week evidence based diabetes exercise and lifestyle programme (DELP) on metabolic, functional, and psychological outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thirty-five participants attended DELP in a community-based chronic disease hub in Galway. Pre- and post-programme measurements were collected for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, waist circumference, hand grip strength, incremental shuttle walk (ISWT) and sit-to-stand test. Psychological wellbeing was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, including paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, independent t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, McNemar’s test, and chi-square tests, with p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results demonstrated significant improvements in mean HbA1c, (-9 [95%CI -5,-14] mmol/l/mol; P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (–5 [95%CI -1,-9] mmHg; P = 0.025), and waist circumference (–3 [95%CI -2, -4] cm; P < 0.001). Hand grip strength increased (5 [95%CI 4, 6] kg (P < 0.001). Functional capacity improved with greater ISWT distances (P < 0.001) and sit-to-stand scores (P < 0.001). Reductions were observed in depressive symptoms and diabetes-related distress. These findings support the effectiveness of the DELP as a community-delivered intervention to improve metabolic control, physical function, and psychological wellbeing in patients with T2DM. DELP can be used in conjunction with pharmacological interventions, offering an exercise-specific, holistic approach to diabetes management in primary care settings.