Impact of Dual vs. Single Task Exercise on Cognitive Function, Balance, and Functionality in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is defined as a carbohydrate mechanism disorder in which glucose cannot be used as an adequate energy source and is produced excessively, causing hyperglycemia. For the diagnosis of diabetes, an increase in HbA1c in the blood or a high glucose concentration in venous plasma is examined. Although there are various clinical subtypes, Type 2 diabetes constitutes 90% of the approximately 537 million diabetics worldwide. In the treatment of diabetes, there are pharmacological treatments and lifestyle changes to ensure glycemic control. The most important lifestyle change interventions are balanced calorie intake, increased physical activity and regular exercise. The effect of exercise on complications associated with Type 2 diabetes, such as improving glycemic control, reducing inflammation and reducing cardiovascular risk, is clear and it is known that these also affect cognition. In this context, dual-task exercises that can target both the improvement of parameters related to postural control and balance as a physical development and the development of cognitive functions are gaining importance. The aim of dual-task exercises is to direct the person's attention to another source while the first task is being performed. When the literature is examined, there are separate studies on the effects of dual-task exercises on both balance and walking performance and cognitive functions. However, the meta-analyses conducted on these studies emphasize the need for more newly designed studies. Therefore, our study aims to examine the effects of dual-task exercise training, which includes both physical and cognitive parameters, on cognitive functions, balance and functionality in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Patients who applied to the Artvin State Hospital Internal Medicine polyclinic and were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included in our study. The patients included in the study will be divided into 3 groups: dual-task exercise group, single-task exercise group and control group. Both intervention groups will be included in an exercise program with a physiotherapist 2 days a week for 8 weeks in addition to their medical treatments. The control group will be recommended walking only in addition to their medical treatment during these 8 weeks. All 3 groups will be evaluated twice, at the beginning of the study and at the end of the 8th week.