Effects of Structured Physical Exercise Program and Medication on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Bangladesh: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Both groups improved across all outcomes, with the experimental group showing greater gains than the control group.

• Ninety adults with T2DM of over 3 years duration were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 45) or control (n = 45) groups.
• The experimental group performed 3 supervised SPEP sessions per week plus prescribed medication for 6 weeks.
• The control group continued routine medication with lifestyle guidance only for 6 weeks.
• Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention by blinded assessors using the intention-to-treat principle.
• Baseline characteristics were reported as comparable between groups.

The structured physical exercise program resulted in greater reductions in capillary blood glucose compared to medication alone.

• Capillary blood glucose (CBG) was the primary outcome measure.
• The experimental group demonstrated greater reductions in CBG than the control group.
• Both groups showed some improvement in glycemic control over the 6-week period.
• Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention by blinded assessors.

The experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in physical fitness as measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

• The 6MWT was used as a secondary outcome measure of physical fitness.
• The experimental group showed increased 6MWT distance compared to the control group.
• Both groups were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
• The 6-week SPEP consisted of 3 supervised sessions per week.

Quality of life as measured by the SF-36 was higher in the experimental group compared to the control group after the intervention.

• Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) as a secondary outcome.
• The experimental group showed higher SF-36 scores post-intervention relative to the control group.
• Both groups showed improvements in SF-36 scores over the 6-week period.
• Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention.

Adherence to the structured physical exercise program was high and no serious adverse events occurred during the trial.

• The trial involved 6 weeks of physiotherapist-led supervised exercise sessions.
• Sessions were conducted 3 times per week for the experimental group.
• No serious adverse events were reported in either group.
• High adherence was reported for the experimental group's supervised SPEP sessions.

The study supports the feasibility and short-term efficacy of physiotherapist-led structured exercise as an adjunct to routine medication for T2DM management in Bangladesh.

• The trial was conducted in Bangladesh among adults with T2DM of over 3 years duration.
• The 6-week SPEP was physiotherapist-led and delivered alongside prescribed medication.
• The authors note that future studies should assess long-term sustainability and metabolic benefits.
• The study used a randomized controlled trial design with intention-to-treat analysis and blinded outcome assessors.