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Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1999

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Graduate Nursing

First Advisor

Margaret Hegge

Keywords

phsyiology of diabetics, exercise therapy and diabetes

Abstract

A convenience sample of 60 type 2 diabetics from northeast South Dakota were studied to determine if there were differences in exercising versus nonexercising subjects on their locus of control, fatigue levels, risk factors, and barriers. This study used a comparative descriptive survey design. The research instrument consisted of a survey, which included a fatigue scale, a questionnaire developed by the researcher, a visual analogue scale, and a locus of control scale. The questionnaires were distributed by participating pharmacies in northeast South Dakota to known type 2 diabetics. The exercising type 2 diabetic group was considered the group that indicated that they exercised regularly for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week. All data was obtained by self-report on a questionnaire.
T-tests were performed on all the acquired ordinal and ratio data with results of both exercise and nonexercise groups compared. Descriptive data were analyzed using percents, frequencies, ranges, standard deviations, means, medians, and modes for groups of exercisers and nonexercisers. The Mann-Whitney U Test was used for nominal level data. An alpha level of .05 was used for all statistical tests.
There were no significance differences between type 2 diabetic exercisers and nonexercisers in health locus of control, fatigue levels, and barriers. There were statistically significant findings in risk factors, including mean triglyceride levels, blood sugars, blood pressure, and weight differences. Nonexercisers did not know if their level had changed with their activity level, while exercisers reported increased levels with exercise. Mean blood sugar levels in nonexercisers remained the same, and exercisers reported mean blood sugars that stayed within normal limits. Blood pressure had increased in nonexercisers and remained the same for exercisers. Nonexercising diabetics gained weight, while exercisers' weights stayed within normal range.
The reliability of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control instrument was .6035 using Chronbach's Alpha. This indicates ambiguity in the internal consistency of the measure.
Advanced practice nurses involved in the primary care of the type 2 diabetic need to acknowledge the potential barriers to exercise and the client's locus of control. Risk factors and fatigue levels need to be considered to assist in a more effective and individualized approach to the client.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Diabetics -- Physiology
Diabetes -- Exercise therapy

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

94

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 1999 Cynthia Pallesen. All rights reserved

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