Investigation of the Effect of Individual Counseling of Physical Activity Based on Theory of Planned Behavior on Glycemic Indexes in Women with Gestational Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Performing physical activity is one of the inexpensive and available interventions in the field of self-care of gestational diabetes. Changing and modifying health behaviors in individuals can lead to preventing or delaying the disease and its complications. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of physical activity counselling based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on glycemic indexes in women with gestational diabetes. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, the effect of counselling based on TPB was investigated in 50 women with gestational diabetes. The eligible subjects were assigned to two groups (control and intervention) using randomized block design; then, glycemic indexes were measured (pre- and post-intervention). Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-test. Results: In this study, the mean FBS (p=0.028), hemoglobin A1C (p=0.008), 2-hour postprandial blood sugar (p=0.002) and the number of admission (p<0.001) in the intervention group decreased compared to the control group, and the mean physical activity at home (p<0.001), sports fields (p<0.001), transportation (p=0.015), tendency to physical activity (p<0.001), attitude toward physical activity (p<0.001), abstract norms (p=0.001) and perceived control (p<0.001) significantly increased. Conclusion: Considering the positive effects of intervention on controlling glycemic indexes, physical activity counseling can be considered as one of the effective strategies for controlling gestational diabetes, especially using health education theory.