'Movement as Medicine' for Type 2 Diabetes

This project involves a pilot study evaluation of a professional and patient physical activity development pathway for Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes significantly impacts the lives of those with the condition and represents the single largest financial cost of any chronic condition to the NHS. Physical activity is one of the most potent therapies for managing Type 2 diabetes; walking 45 minutes extra per day produces the same improvement in glucose control as one of the major classes of drugs, yet without the financial cost. Despite this, NICE guidelines are critical about the ability of clinical care teams delivering physical activity as a clinical therapy. 

For the last 18 months, the University of Newcastle upon Tyne has worked with County Durham Primary Care Trust to develop a physical activity package for use with people with Type 2 diabetes in primary care. This program targets the clinical care teams and patients and has resulted in the production of the UK’s first professional and patient development pathway for people with Type 2 diabetes.