Peer-Reviewed Research: The Effects of Tai Chi and Walking on Fasting Blood Glucose among Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Peer-Reviewed Research: The Effects of Tai Chi and Walking on Fasting Blood Glucose among Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus
The article titled "The Effects of Tai Chi and Walking on Fasting Blood Glucose among Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus" by Forough Rafii et al., published in Nursing and Midwifery Studies, explores the impact of Tai Chi and walking on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels among patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM). This randomized controlled trial provides a comparative analysis of these two physical activities over an eight-week period, offering insights into their efficacy in managing Type II DM, a condition that has become a global health challenge.
Study Design and Methodology
The study involved 100 patients with Type II DM, who were randomly assigned to three groups: a Tai Chi group, a walking group, and a control group. The intervention groups participated in three 30-minute sessions per week for eight weeks, while the control group did not engage in any regular physical exercise. FBG levels were measured before and after the intervention.
The study was well-structured, with clear inclusion criteria, such as patients aged 20-60, diagnosed with Type II DM, and using either metformin or glibenclamide. Exclusion criteria included those who were on insulin therapy, had musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or respiratory issues, or could not tolerate physical exercise. The use of block randomization to allocate patients ensured that the groups were well balanced, minimizing selection bias.
The Tai Chi group performed movements from both the traditional 18-movement Chen style and the modern 24-movement Yang style, under the supervision of trained instructors. The walking group covered a distance of approximately 2 km in each session. The researchers ensured that the exercises were conducted safely, with monitoring for symptoms like tachycardia and severe fatigue, which were managed promptly.
Results and Findings
The results indicated that both Tai Chi and walking significantly reduced FBG levels among the participants. The post-test FBG values in the Tai Chi and walking groups were notably lower than their pre-test values, with P-values of 0.013 and 0.004, respectively. Interestingly, the control group showed an increase in FBG levels, highlighting the positive impact of physical activity in managing blood glucose.
A key finding was that there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of Tai Chi and walking, as the FBG reduction in both groups was statistically similar. This suggests that both forms of exercise can be equally beneficial for patients with Type II DM, providing flexible options for incorporating physical activity into their daily routines.
Discussion
The study's discussion highlights the effectiveness of an eight-week Tai Chi program in lowering FBG levels, aligning with findings from other studies like those by Lee et al. and Chang et al. However, the authors also note contradictory results from other research, such as the study by Shen et al., which found no significant reduction in FBG with Tai Chi. The authors attribute the differences in outcomes to variations in the intensity, style, and duration of Tai Chi practiced, as well as differences in participants' body mass index (BMI).
The study also reinforces the benefits of walking as an effective aerobic exercise for reducing FBG levels, corroborating findings from studies by Valizadeh et al. and Parsian et al. The discussion underscores the importance of exercise intensity and patient characteristics in determining the effectiveness of physical activity interventions.
The authors acknowledge a limitation in their study: the inability to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi and walking on hemoglobin A1C over a longer period. They recommend further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods to assess the long-term impact of these exercises on glycemic control.
Conclusion
The study concludes that both Tai Chi and walking are effective in lowering FBG levels among patients with Type II DM, with neither exercise showing a clear advantage over the other. The findings suggest that incorporating Tai Chi or walking into the management plan for Type II DM patients could be beneficial in controlling blood glucose levels. The study's strength lies in its rigorous methodology and the practical implications of its findings for diabetes management.
Reference
Rafii, F., Masroor, D., Haghani, H., & Azimi, H. (2018). The effects of Tai Chi and walking on fasting blood glucose among patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 7(2), 56-61.
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