TY - JOUR T1 - Engaging South Asian women with type 2 diabetes in a culturally relevant exercise intervention: a randomized controlled trial JF - BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care JO - BMJ Open Diab Res Care DO - 10.1136/bmjdrc-2015-000126 VL - 3 IS - 1 SP - e000126 AU - Alamelu Natesan AU - Vani C Nimbal AU - Susan L Ivey AU - Elsie J Wang AU - Kristine A Madsen AU - Latha P Palaniappan Y1 - 2015/10/01 UR - http://drc.bmj.com/content/3/1/e000126.abstract N2 - Background We examined the efficacy of a culturally relevant exercise program in improving glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) among South Asian women with type 2 diabetes, compared with usual care.Methods This was a randomized controlled 8-week pilot study of Bollywood dance among South Asian women with type 2 diabetes. The intervention consisted of 1 h Bollywood dance classes offered twice per week. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c. The effect of attendance on this outcome was also examined.Results The intervention group demonstrated a decrease in HbA1c from baseline (−0.18% (0.2%); p=0.018) compared with a non-significant increase in the usual care group (+0.03% (0.2%)); p value for difference between groups was 0.032. Participants attending at least 10 of 16 sessions had a statistically significant reduction in weight (−0.69 kg (0.76 kg)) compared with those attending fewer sessions (+0.86 kg (0.71 kg)).Conclusions These results support culturally relevant dance as a successful exercise intervention to promote HbA1c control, compared with usual care.Trial registration number NCT02061618. ER -