: Gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy-related condition characterized by impaired glucose metabolism. It poses risks to both maternal and fetal health. Physical activity interventions, such as self-stretching and aerobic exercise, have shown potential in improving glycemic control and managing associated symptoms in individuals with diabetes. Objective: To determine the effects of self-stretching, with or without aerobic exercise, on glycemic control, fatigue, and stress for women with gestational diabetes
A Randomized controlled trial was conducted at khursheed majeed Hospital Lahore and was completed in 8th month after approval of synopsis .A sample of 24 women having age 20 to 40 with gestational diabetes were selected through non probability convenience sampling technique and then randomly allocated into group A(self-stretching with aerobic exercise) and group B (self-stretching without aerobic exercise). The outcome measures were glycemic control, assessed by measuring fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels using a glucometer fatigue and stress levels, measured by Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively. These measures will be obtained at baseline and after the 7-weeks intervention period. All participants in both groups were evaluated before and after the treatment programs. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 25. Results: Mean value of Fasting blood glucose pre-treatment (Mean Difference=0.05) and post treatment (Mean Difference=0.14) with p value \<0.05. Mean value of 2 h postprandial blood glucose pre-treatment (Mean Difference=0.04) and post treatment (Mean Difference=0.20) with p value \<0.05.Mean value of Fatigue assessment scale pre-treatment (Mean Difference=1.56) and post treatment (Mean Difference=4.21) with p value \<0.05. Mean value of Perceived stress scale pre-treatment (Mean Difference=1.05) and post treatment (Mean Difference=4.74) with p value \<0.05 Conclusion: The study concluded that both groups Aerobic exercises + self-stretching (experimental group) and self-stretching Exercises only (control group) improve glycemic control, reduce fatigue and stress in gestational diabetes. However Aerobic exercises + self-stretching is more effective than self-stretching only
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
36
A glucometer, which is a portable device used to measure blood glucose levels, was used in this study to collect data. It is a dependable and widely used tool for assessing glycemic control in people with diabetes, including gestational diabetes
Jinnah Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Glucometer
A glucometer, which is a portable device used to measure blood glucose levels, was used in this study to collect data. It is a dependable and widely used tool for assessing glycemic control in people with diabetes, including gestational diabetes. These measurements provided factual information on glycemic control and help compare blood glucose levels between the self-stretching with and without aerobic exercise groups
Time frame: 8 weeks
Fatigue assessment scale
The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) is a 10-item self-report scale evaluating symptoms of chronic fatigue. The FAS treats fatigue as a unidimensional construct and does not separate its measurement into different factors. However, in order to ensure that the scale evaluates all aspects of fatigue, it measures both physical and mental symptoms. This scale can be useful in tracking fatigue over time in the context of psychiatric conditions, physical illness or chronic fatigue syndrome. The FAS has an internal consistency of .90. Results on the scale also correlated highly with the fatigue-related subscales of other measures like the Checklist Individual Strength. The total score ranges from 10 to 50, with a higher score indicating more severe fatigue. A description of the fatigue experienced is presented for the total score where: less than 22 indicates "normal" (i.e. healthy) levels of fatigue, between 22 and 34 indicates mild-to-moderate fatigue and 35 or more indicates severe fatigue
Time frame: 8 weeks
Perceived stress scale:
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a classic stress assessment instrument. The tool, while originally developed in 1983, remains a popular choice for helping us understand how different situations affect our feelings and our perceived stress. The questions in this scale ask about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress. Scores ranging from 14-26 would be considered moderate stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress. The Perceived Stress Scale is interesting and important because your perception of what is happening in your life is most important
Time frame: 8 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.