The effects of resistance exercises interventions on quality of life and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Aims

The global burden of diabetes mellitus is escalating rapidly, and the complex comorbidities contribute to a marked decline in patients' quality of life. This review assesses the impact of resistance training on quality of life in type 2 diabetes patients, addressing the ongoing debate over its role in diabetes management and the potential to enhance clinical outcomes.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials regarding assessing effects from resistance training on quality of life among diabetic patients. We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, Web of Science and Embase and the register of controlled trials searched to February 2021. All included studies were randomized controlled trials in adults with type 2 diabetes that assessed the effect of a resistance training on glycemic control and change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The HRQOL was measured by validated questionnaires, covering physical and mental components scores, and pooled standardized effect sizes were calculated. Glycemic control measured by the level of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), and pooled weighted effect sizes were calculated.

Result

9 randomized controlled trials were eligible for the systematic review and our meta-analysis, with 557 participants completed randomized programs data. With random effects meta-analyses model, there was no significant pooled estimate of the standardized mean difference of PCS of quality of life (0.73, 95%CI: −1.19 to 2.65), while in our sensitivity analysis, resistance training had a marginally significantly positive effect on physical components among diabetic patients (0.21, 95%CI: −0.02 to 0.45). Additionally, resistance exercise was non-significantly related with improvement in mental components scores of HRQOL compared with control group (standardized mean difference, (−0.01 (95%CI: −1.25 to 1.23)). With random effects meta-analyses, constructed resistance training intervention did not significantly change the level of HbA1c compared with the control group (−0.22, 95%CI: −0.98 to 0.54)

Conclusion

The resistance/strength training might have the slight positive effect on the PCS of HRQOL among patients with type 2 diabetes, but was non-significantly beneficial for MCS of HRQOL and glycemic control.