Quality of life and sleep quality are similarly improved after aquatic or dry-land aerobic training in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives

To compare the effects of two aerobic training models in water and on dry-land on quality of life, depressive symptoms and sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Randomized clinical trial.

Methods

Thirty-five patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to aquatic aerobic training group (n = 17) or dry-land aerobic training group (n = 18). Exercise training length was of 12 weeks, performed in three weekly sessions (45 min/session), with intensity progressing from 85% to 100% of heart rate of anaerobic threshold during interventions. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks later.

Results

In per protocol analysis, physical and psychological domains of quality of life improved in both groups (p < 0.05) without between-group differences. Overall quality of life and sleep quality improved in both groups (p < 0.05), without between-group differences in per protocol and intention to treat analysis. No changes on depressive symptoms were observed in both groups at follow-up.

Conclusions

Aerobic training in an aquatic environment provides similar effects to aerobic training in a dry-land environment on quality of life, depressive symptoms and sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes.Clinical trial reg. no. NCT01956357, clinicaltrials.gov.