Context and Aims: The benefits of physical activity (PA) for people living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are vast, however activity rates amongst this population are low.1 Fear of hypoglycaemia (FoH) is a common barrier to PA for people living with T1D and may be preventing this population from engaging in adequate activity.2 The aim of this study was to evaluate a pilot group education workshop designed to reduce fear of exercise induced hypoglycaemia in adults with T1D.
Methods: A pre / post / 6 week post, evaluative program review was conducted using a self-administered 25 item questionnaire developed by the researchers. Data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics including median, interquartile range, frequency and percentage.
Findings: Responses from pre (n=31) and post intervention (n=32) questionnaires were included in the initial analysis. Before the intervention, FoH was listed in the top three barriers to PA 17 times (71%), while after the intervention it appeared 14 times (58%). Median confidence levels to manage blood glucose levels (BGLs) surrounding PA increased from 7 (IQR = 3) to 8 (IQR = 3) out of 10 from pre to post intervention. An increased number of participants indicated they would use insulin adjustment, monitoring BGLs and sprints to manage BGLs from pre to post. Data collected at the 6 week post intervention will be analysed and presented.
Conclusion: In this sample, the self-management, group education intervention under investigation was found to modestly decrease FoH as a barrier to PA, improve confidence to manage BGLs surrounding PA and change participant’s intended strategies to manage BGLs surrounding PA.