Personal Activity Intelligence eHealth intervention in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Background and objective People with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) report difficulty exercising. This study tested an innovative intervention to promote physical activity self-management and its impact on foot symptoms.Methods Ten adults with DPN not meeting exercise guidelines consented to four weekly sessions involving exercise tasters, behaviour change counselling and Physical Activity Intelligence (PAI) self-monitoring, with a goal to maintain daily PAI scores >= 100. Foot symptoms were assessed using repeated mobile phone surveys at 0 and 12 weeks.Results Participants attended a mean 3.5 sessions and achieved 100 PAI on 53% and 15% of days during Weeks 2-4 and 5-12, respectively. No major adverse events and large reductions in aching (P=0.02) and burning pain (P=0.03) in the feet were recorded. Discussion The PAI eHealth intervention was feasible and safe and might reduce foot symptoms. More work is needed to support self-directed exercise maintenance.