2.2. Participants
abdominal obesity, MetS, Diabetes, T2DM, Metabolic syndrome
RECRUITMENT, RECRUITMENT, METABOLIC SYNDROME, DIABETES
Between June and August 2022, 134 patients with T2DM and MetS who routinely reported to the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre (NDMRC) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) were screened for possible recruitment into the study. A diagnosis of T2DM was confirmed by an NDMRC nurse or physician based on documentation in participant’s medical record. Metabolic syndrome was determined according to the definition of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III which requires the presence of any three of the following five cardiovascular risk factors: abdominal obesity, raised triglycerides, low HDL, raised BP, high FBG [Participants were included in this trial if they: (a) had a diagnosis of T2DM and met the criteria of MetS, (b) received medical clearance from their physician to take part in the PA program, (c) were sedentary (not achieving 600 metabolic equivalent of task—minutes/week, based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short form (IPAQ-SF) assessment [Participants were randomly allocated using a computer-generated excel program in a 1:1 ratio to either the IG or the CG. A researcher independent to the research program, who had no relationship with participants, conducted the randomisation. Recruitment and data collection were undertaken by blinded assessors—research assistants and a biomedical scientist. Participants and physical therapists were not blinded to group allocation due to the nature of the intervention.