Impact of Using a Pedometer on Time Spent Walking in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The study demonstrated that previously sedentary older adults with type 2 diabetes, supported with a coaching intervention, were able to achieve the physical activity targets known to be beneficial to health. However, using a pedometer added no further benefit. Further research on the impact of specific coaching strategies in diabetes management is warranted.

Regular use of pedometer does not enhance beneficial outcomes in a physical activity intervention study in type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…Our findings are in accordance with, or extending, results from other controlled trials [12,22]. Engel and Lindner [12], studying older adults with T2DM, found that the coaching-only group spent more time walking than the pedometer group.…”

“…Our findings are in accordance with, or extending, results from other controlled trials [12,22]. Engel and Lindner [12], studying older adults with T2DM, found that the coaching-only group spent more time walking than the pedometer group. In another trial [22], 23 low-active adolescent girls who used pedometer increased their step count slightly after 6 weeks; but after 12 weeks of intervention, the use of pedometer was not superior to setting daily time-based goals for physical activity.…”

“…However, although physical activity is presented as a cornerstone in the treatment, people with T2DM often find it difficult to incorporate structured exercise into their daily lives [8,9]. Walking is a simple activity that has been shown to have beneficial health effects [10][11][12][13][14]. Walking can be quantified accurately by the use of pedometers (step counters) [15][16][17].…”

“…Therefore, the use of pedometers could possibly increase the success of programs aimed to increase physical activity in T2DM subjects. However, controversies exist whether the use of pedometers does increase walking in people with T2DM [10,12,20].…”

The effectiveness of a brief intervention using a pedometer and step-recording diary in promoting physical activity in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance

“…In contrast to the generally positive findings of these studies of pedometer-based interventions with people with type 2 diabetes, 9,13,14 an Australian study of people with type 2 diabetes recruited by a local media campaign found that while a coaching intervention was effective in increasing physical activity, there was no extra benefit for people who also used a pedometer. 21 The step-recording diary was considered to be useful by the majority of participants in the present study. The study by Gleeson-Kreig, 22 which involved participants keeping daily activity records for six weeks, reported that self-recording daily physical activity was an acceptable intervention in a study of people with type 2 diabetes.…”