Effects of Exercise Intervention Based on Self-efficacy Theory on Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background During pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)is a common complication. Although some exercise programs have been recommended clinically, many pregnant women have low exercise compliance, making it difficult to effectively control blood sugar. Therefore, this study constructed an exercise intervention plan based on self-efficacy theory and explored the effect of the program on blood glucose and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A usual exercise program was implemented for the participants in the control group, and the participants in the intervention group received an exercise program on the basis of the control group and combined with the self-efficacy theory. Participants were assessed based on exercise self-efficacy, blood glucose, weight gain, exercise compliance, and pregnancy outcomes at week 4, week 8 and week 12. Results One hundred three gestational diabetes mellitus patients were recruited at baseline, 53 in the intervention group and 50 in the control group. After the intervention, the exercise self-efficacy score and exercise compliance of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose, 2-h post-prandial plasma glucose, weight gain during the intervention period, incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia, and incidence of gestational hypertension were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Implementing an exercise intervention based on self-efficacy theory for gestational diabetes mellitus patients can improve exercise self-efficacy and exercise compliance, effectively control blood glucose and weight gain, improve pregnancy outcomes, and promote maternal and infant safety.