Significance Of Neurobic Exercse On Executive Function And Quality Of Life Among Middle Aged Individuals With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Type II Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and relative insulin deficiency. It primarily results from obesity and physical inactivity.⁽¹⁾ Recent studies have shown that individuals with Type II DM often experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Prolonged diabetes, particularly with elevated HbA1c levels, is associated with poorer cognitive performance.⁽⁵⁾ If untreated, MCI in middle-aged individuals (45-70 years) could progress to dementia in older age.⁽⁴⁾ In Type II DM, cognitive dysfunction often manifests as mental slowing, attention deficits, and reduced executive function. These impairments are associated with declines in memory, processing speed, and complex motor functioning.⁽¹⁰⁾ Neurobic exercise involves engaging the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) to stimulate brain activity. Neurobic exercises are particularly beneficial for enhancing executive functions such as task planning, problem-solving, and judgement. These exercises have been shown to improve cognitive performance in individuals with Type II diabetes by enhancing attention and motor control .⁽¹¹⁾

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: The objective of the study is to find out the effect of neurobic exercise to improve the executive function and quality of life among middle-aged individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 30 middle-aged participants (36–55 years) with T2DM were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The intervention lasted 24 weeks, with 48 sessions of 60 minutes each. Executive function and quality of life were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Quality of Life in Diabetes (QOLID) tools, respectively.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis using paired and unpaired ‘t’-tests revealed significant improvements in both executive function and quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group. The MoCA scores improved to 6.8 in the experimental group versus 5.6 in the control group, while QOLID scores were 22 and 17.8, respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study concluded that neurobic exercise is effective in improving executive function and quality of life among middle-aged individuals with type II diabetes mellitus.