Effect of Mindfulness Meditation and Aerobic Exercise on Serum Cortisol Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Authors

The Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular/Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics Disorders, Faculty of Physical Therapy* and Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine**, Cairo University

Abstract

Abstract Background: Diabetes is a fast-growing health problem in Egypt with a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and health care resources. While increasing physical activity is an essential component of all effective lifestyle-based trials for the prevention of type 2 DM. Psychological stress has been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. Plenty of studies have shown that meditative movements are effective for glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Aim of Study: To compare the effect of mindfulness meditation and aerobic exercises on serum cortisol levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and Methods: Sixty, types 2 diabetic patients for more than 5 years (29 women and 31 men) were selected from the Faculty of Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic, Cairo University. Their ages ranged from forty to fifty years. Serum cortisol a.m. and fasting blood glucose tests were done before the start of the study and after 6 weeks. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups in number (30 patients for each group). Group A received aerobic exercise in the form of walking on a treadmill and mindfulness medi-tation for 20mins and group B received continuous aerobic exercise only in the form of walking on a treadmill The exercise program including 45 minutes and consist of the warming up phase of slow walking on the treadmill for 5 minutes, training phase 35 minutes, and cooling down for 5 minutes. And it was done three days per week for 6 weeks. Results: - Within-group comparison: The percent of the decrease in cortisol level and fasting blood glucose of group A was 30.29% and 14.54% respectively and that of group B was 20.37 and 9.83% respectively. - Between groups comparison: Comparison between groups post-treatment revealed a significant decrease in cortisol level and fasting blood glucose of group A compared with that of group B (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The combination model between mindfulness meditation and aerobic exercise is more effective in decreasing serum cortisol levels and fasting blood glucose.

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