Immediate Effects of Physical Therapist Guided Physical Activity on Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure and Functional Capacity of Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre

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Published: 2026-04-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/5jn85g84
Keywords:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, physical therapy, exercise intervention, blood glucose, blood pressure, functional capacity, rehabilitation

Main Article Content

Muhammad Amjad Ali
College of Physical Therapy, JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan
Aimen Rafiq
Divinatory Solutions, Karachi, Pakistan
Syed Masroor Ahmed
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan
Shabnam Naveed
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan
Riaz Baig
College of Physical Therapy, JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan
Abid Kamal
College of Physical Therapy, JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan
Absar Ullah Khan
College of Physical Therapy, JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Umair Shaikh
College of Physical Therapy, JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan
Zubair Mansoori
Independent Contributor, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health burden, with Pakistan among the countries most affected due to increasing urbanization, sedentary behavior, and poor lifestyle patterns. Physical activity is a cornerstone of diabetes management, yet limited local evidence exists regarding the immediate clinical impact of structured, physical therapist–guided exercise in hospital-based settings. Objective: To evaluate the immediate effects of physical therapist–guided physical activity on blood glucose, blood pressure, and functional capacity in adults with T2DM. Methods: A quasi-experimental single-group pretest-posttest study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from May to August 2025. Eighty-one participants aged 40–60 years with established T2DM were included. Participants underwent at least 30 minutes of supervised physical activity at 60–70% of maximum heart rate. Blood glucose, blood pressure, and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance were measured immediately before and after the intervention. Paired statistical tests were applied to assess changes. Results: Blood glucose significantly decreased from 198.4 ± 34.6 mg/dL to 176.2 ± 30.8 mg/dL (p < 0.001). Functional capacity improved significantly, with 6MWT distance increasing by 7.79 meters (95% CI: 6.66–8.92; p < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed modest reductions that were not statistically significant (p = 0.068 and p = 0.266, respectively). Conclusion: A single session of physical therapist–guided physical activity produced significant immediate improvements in glycemic control and functional capacity, supporting its integration into routine diabetes care, although sustained and controlled studies are needed to confirm long-term benefits.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 7 (2026)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Syed Masroor Ahmed, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan

Professor of medicine

How to Cite

1.
Muhammad Amjad Ali, Aimen Rafiq, Syed Masroor Ahmed, Shabnam Naveed, Riaz Baig, Abid Kamal, et al. Immediate Effects of Physical Therapist Guided Physical Activity on Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure and Functional Capacity of Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 15 [cited 2026 Apr. 23];4(7):1-10. Available from: https://www.jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1463

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