A CLINICAL SURVEY ON THE COMPLIANCE OF EXERCISE THERAPY FOR DIABETIC OUTPATIENTS

To clarify the present state of exercise therapy for diabetes mellitus , we conducted a survey of 570 diabetic outpatients by written questio nnaires. The results revealed that approximately 30% of the patients d id not implement the prescribed exercise regimen. The principal reason s for low compliance were 'lack of time to do' and 'lack of mind to do ', 'Lack of time to do' was particularly numerous in male patients, Ot her reasons were 'lack of guidance by physician', 'lack of interest', 'lack of understanding of procedure'. These findings indicated that th e patients should be motivated adequately when they are diagnosed as h aving diabetes and subsequently encouraged to reinforce their intentio ns by the physician and co-medical staff. Furthermore, they showed tha t specific approaches suitable for each individual patient and not sta ndardized guidelines should be devised. As regards the daily environme nt of patients, the cooperation of the patient's family would be effec tive and the exercise facilities and the exercise guidance personnel s hould be augmented.