Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of a neurobics
exercise brain training program when used with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, and
to study interactions with blood sugar levels. Participating patients were classified by
three levels of HbA1c. Within each level, subjects were randomly assigned to control
and experimental groups, with the latter given the brain training program. Data were
collected using two WAIS-III tests, Digit Span and Digit Symbol, and analyzed using
t-tests and analysis of variance methods.
It was found that:
(1) Post-test scores in the experimental groups were significantly higher than
pre-test scores at the .05 level on both Digit Span and Digit Symbol.
(2) Before training, there were no pre-test score differences between control
and experimental groups on either test. However, patients with HbA1c levels of
7.0 % to 7.9 % did differ in their Digit Symbol scoresat the .05 level, while patients
with HbA1c levels at 8 % and above showed differences on both testsat the .05
level.
(3) After training, the experimental groups scores on both tests were
significantly higher than the control groups at the .05 level. However, patients with
HbA1c at or above 8 % showed no change in Digit Symbol scores.
(4) The interaction between HbA1C level and test scores was significant at
the .05 level.