Research
Mediators of physical activity change in a behavioral modification program for type 2 diabetes patients
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* Corresponding author: Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse.DeBourdeaudhuij@Ugent.be
- † Equal contributors
1 Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
2 Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Belgium
3 Department of Human Biometry and Biomechanics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
4 Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
5 Walking Behavior Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
6 Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne; The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2011, 8:105 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-8-105
Published: 29 September 2011Abstract
Background
Many studies have reported significant behavioral impact of physical activity interventions. However, few have examined changes in potential mediators of change preceding behavioral changes, resulting in a lack of information concerning how the intervention worked. Our purpose was to examine mediation effects of changes in psychosocial variables on changes in physical activity in type 2 diabetes patients.
Methods
Ninety-two patients (62 ± 9 years, 30, 0 ± 2.5 kg/m2, 69% males) participated in a randomized controlled trial. The 24-week intervention was based on social-cognitive constructs and consisted of a face-to-face session, telephone follow-ups, and the use of a pedometer. Social-cognitive variables and physical activity (device-based and self-reported) were collected at baseline, after the 24-week intervention and at one year post-baseline. PA was measured by pedometer, accelerometer and questionnaire.
Results
Post-intervention physical activity changes were mediated by coping with relapse, changes in social norm, and social modeling from family members (p ≤ 0.05). One-year physical activity changes were mediated by coping with relapse, changes in social support from family and self-efficacy towards physical activity barriers (p ≤ 0.05)
Conclusions
For patients with type 2 diabetes, initiatives to increase their physical activity could usefully focus on strategies for resuming regular patterns of activity, on engaging family social support and on building confidence about dealing with actual and perceived barriers to activity.
Trial Registration
NCT00903500, ClinicalTrials.gov.