Management strategies for Chinese women with gestational diabetes

ISRCTN ISRCTN40260907
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN40260907
Submission date
13/06/2024
Registration date
17/06/2024
Last edited
06/12/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study aims to examine the effects of three modes of exercise interventions on blood sugar and pregnancy outcomes and explore the most effective exercise patterns for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.

Who can participate?
Chinese pregnant women with GDM at 24–28 weeks of gestation

What does the study involve?
The study lasted for a total of 24 weeks, including initial assessments, the exercise intervention period, and follow-up assessments.
The participants were assigned into four groups:
1. The aerobic exercise group took an exercise intervention of moderate-intensity walking at a speed of 3–6 km/h or 100–200 steps/min. Exercise was recommended every other day, 3–4 times per week. Participants were advised to start exercising 1 hour after a meal and continue for 40 minutes, with a family member to ensure safety, provide motivation, and increase adherence to the exercise routine
2. The resistance training group received an exercise intervention involving seated bicep curls with a 1-kg dumbbell. This was also performed once every other day, 3 to 4 times per week, 1 hour after a meal. The exercise duration was 40 minutes. The specific movements included elbow flexion, double arm abduction (timed for 30 seconds), swinging arms back and forth, chest expansion exercises, and raising both arms overhead. Each movement was repeated 10 times, with five movements making up one set. A total of three sets were performed, with a 15-second rest period between each movement and a 1-minute rest period between each set.
3. The aerobic exercise combined with resistance training group undertook a 20-minute moderate-intensity walk followed by seated bicep curls with a 1-kg dumbbell. This routine was performed once every other day, 3 to 4 times per week, with the exercise session taking place 1 hour after a meal. The walking duration was 40 minutes, and the resistance exercises consisted of five repetitions for each of the five different exercises, totaling three sets. A 15-second rest period was given between each exercise and a 1-minute rest period between each set.
4. The control group received only routine prenatal care, personalized diabetes diet guidance, and online education guidance on weight control, blood glucose monitoring, and using a food diary.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits include improvement in blood sugar control, enhanced overall physical fitness, and reduction in the risk of complications associated with GDM. As with any physical activity, there is a small risk of injury. However, the exercise program is designed to be safe and appropriate for pregnant women.

Where is the study run from?
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (China)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2019 to March 2021

Who is funding the study?
1. Joint Project on Regional High-Incidence Diseases Research of Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (#2023GXNSFAA026241) (China)
2. Guangxi Medical and Health Appropriate Technology Development and Application Project (#S2022095) (China)
3. Guangxi Medical and Health Appropriate Technology Development and Application Project (#S2019101) (China)

Who is the main contact?
Ms Qiuhong Huang, ssqy13977197819@163.com

Contact information

Ms Qiuhong Huang
Principal Investigator

166 East Daxue Road
Nanning
530000
China

Phone +86 (0)18818808760
Email chloezengyc@qq.com
Dr Yingchun Zeng
Scientific

No 50 Huzhou Street
Gongshu District
Hangzhou City University
Hangzhou
310015
China

Phone +86 (0)18818808760
Email zengyc@hzcu.edu.cn
Dr Yingchun Zeng
Public

No 50 Huzhou Street
Gongshu District
Hangzhou City University
Hangzhou
310015
China

Phone +86 (0)18818808760
Email chloezengyc@hotmail.co.uk

Study information

Study designNon-randomized study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeEfficacy
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleEffect of three modes of exercise intervention on glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes among Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Study objectivesAerobic exercise in combination with resistance training has better effects in reducing FBG, 2h-PBG, HbA1c levels and postpartum bleeding compared to the aerobic exercise, resistance training, and no exercise groups.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 01/08/2019, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (166 East Daxue Road, Nanning, 530000, China; +86 (0)771 5356557; gxydkyb@163.com), ref: 2020-KY-E-117

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedGestational diabetes mellitus
InterventionThe participants were assigned into four groups based on their willingness:
1. The aerobic exercise group took an exercise intervention of moderate-intensity walking at a speed of 3–6 km/h or 100–200 steps/min. Exercise was recommended every other day, 3–4 times per week. Participants were advised to start exercising 1 hour after a meal and continue for 40 minutes, with a family member to ensure safety, provide motivation, and increase adherence to the exercise routine
2. The resistance training group received an exercise intervention involving seated bicep curls with a 1-kg dumbbell. This was also performed once every other day, 3 to 4 times per week, 1 hour after a meal. The exercise duration was 40 minutes. The specific movements included elbow flexion, double arm abduction (timed for 30 seconds), swinging arms back and forth, chest expansion exercises, and raising both arms overhead. Each movement was repeated 10 times, with five movements making up one set. A total of three sets were performed, with a 15-second rest period between each movement and a 1-minute rest period between each set.
3. The aerobic exercise combined with resistance training group undertook a 20-minute moderate-intensity walk followed by seated bicep curls with a 1-kg dumbbell. This routine was performed once every other day, 3 to 4 times per week, with the exercise session taking place 1 hour after a meal. The walking duration was 40 minutes, and the resistance exercises consisted of five repetitions for each of the five different exercises, totaling three sets. A 15-second rest period was given between each exercise and a 1-minute rest period between each set.
4. The control group received only routine prenatal care, personalized diabetes diet guidance, and online education guidance on weight control, blood glucose monitoring, and using a food diary.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measure1. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) measured using glucose oxidase method
2. 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h-PBG) measured using glucose oxidase method
3. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Data collection was conducted at the baseline before the intervention, 1 and 3 months after the intervention, and 2 hours after the delivery
Secondary outcome measures1. Maternal pregnancy outcomes: gestational age, preterm birth, mode of delivery, gestational hypertension syndrome, insulin use, late pregnancy weight gain, postpartum hemorrhage measured using patients’ medical records
2. Neonatal birth outcomes: birth weight, length at birth, 1-minute Apgar score, and incidence of neonatal complications such as respiratory distress syndrome measured using patients’ medical records

Data collection was conducted at the baseline before the intervention, 1 and 3 months after the intervention, and 2 hours after the delivery
Overall study start date15/08/2019
Completion date15/03/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit20 Years
Upper age limit50 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants200
Total final enrolment184
Key inclusion criteria1. Pregnant women with GDM at 24–28 weeks of gestation. A diagnosis of GDM is made using the one-step approach of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test if the plasma glucose value is abnormal (i.e., fasting blood glucose ≥5.1 mmol/L, 1 hour ≥10.0 mmol/L, 2 hours ≥8.5 mmol/L)
2. Single pregnancy
3. Body mass index (BMI) <40 kg/m2
4. Muscle strength at level IV or above
Key exclusion criteria1. Severe obstetric complications and contraindications listed in the public health guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy
2. Severe heart, liver, lung, or kidney damage
3. Acute or chronic complications caused by diabetes, such as ketoacidosis or diabetic foot
Date of first enrolment25/09/2020
Date of final enrolment30/12/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
166 East Daxue Road
Nanning
530000
China

Sponsor information

Guangxi Natural Science Foundation
Government

Joint Project on Regional High-Incidence Diseases Research
166 East Daxue Road
Nanning
530000
China

Phone +86 (0)771 2613258
Email bangs@kjt.gxzf.gov.cn
Website http://kjt.gxzf.gov.cn/zwfw/bsxx/xmtzgg/index_1.shtml

Funders

Funder type

Government

Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province
Government organisation / Local government
Alternative name(s)
Guangxi Natural Science Foundation
Location
China
Guangxi Medical and Health Appropriate Technology Development and Application Project

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date16/06/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during the current study will be available upon request from Dr Yingchun Zeng (chloezengyc@qq.com)

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 19/09/2024 06/12/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

06/12/2024: Publication reference added.
17/06/2024: Study's existence confirmed by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University.