The influence of home-based exercise on gestational diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of home-based exercise for gestational diabetes remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of home-based exercise on glycemic control for gestational diabetes.

Methods: We search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases through April 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of home-based exercise on glycemic control for gestational diabetes.

Results: Five RCTs involving 266 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for gestational diabetes, home-based exercise shows no important impact on fasting glucose (std. MD =0.18; 95% CI = −0.11–0.46; p = .22), HbA1c (std. MD = −0.05; 95% CI = −0.32–0.22; p = .70), insulin requirement (risk ratios (RR) = 1.63; 95% CI =0.51–5.17; p = .41), insulin sensitivity index (std. MD = −0.18; 95% CI = −1.02–0.66; p = .67), gestational age at delivery (std. MD =0.01; 95% CI = −0.26–0.28; p = .95), preterm birth (RR =1.01; 95% CI =0.34–2.99; p = .99), birth weight (std. MD =0.06; 95% CI = −0.45–0.58; p = .81) and head circumference (std. MD =0.11; 95% CI = −0.16–0.38; p = .44).

Conclusions: Home-based exercise demonstrates no substantial benefits to fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin requirement, insulin sensitivity index, gestational age at delivery, preterm birth, birth weight and head circumference for gestational diabetes women.

Keywords:

• Gestational diabetes
• glycemic control
• home-based exercise
• meta-analysis
• randomized controlled trials

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.