Glucofit: A pilot study evaluating a brief action planning intervention in individuals with type 2 diabetes following a community-based physical activity program

Abstract

There is a need to support physical activity (PA) participation among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) provides a framework for interventions; post-intentional factors which can translate intentions into behaviour are considered. Consistent with HAPA, action planning is one strategy that improves self-efficacy (SE) and hence which may support PA among people with DM. This pilot study evaluates the effects of a brief action planning (BAP) intervention among people with DM diabetes attending a community PA program. Adults with DM (n=22) recruited through a community PA program completed baseline measures of the HAPA constructs and self-reported PA. Participants engaged in supervised PA twice per week for 3 months. They received four weeks of BAP via telephone delivered by a BAP counselor once per week. Questionnaires were re-administered following the BAP. Ten (45.5%) participants completed the BAP calls. Paired t-tests revealed significant improvements in maintenance SE (p=.05) and task SE (p=.04) following BAP; there were trends toward improvements in planning SE (p=.15) and action control (p=.19). Overall PA was maintained post-BAP (p=.92), with a trend towards increases in low-intensity PA (p=.61). Findings from this pilot study suggest that BAP may be useful to improve maintenance SE for PA and maintain PA among people with DM following a community PA program. Further research with a larger sample is warranted to further understand the impact of BAP in supporting PA among people with DM.

Acknowledgments: Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation (CCMI), Tait McKenzie Centre and the Tri-Lab