Abstract
Exercise was incorporated into the treatment of diabetic patients on the Biostator. As the purpose of the Bio stator is to determine the patient's in sulin requirements over a 24 hour pe riod, activity and exercise are impor tant to normalize that 24-hour period as much as possible.
Individual exercise programs were developed for each of the patients on the Biostator. The most common ex ercise vehicle chosen was a bicycle ergometer. Physical Therapy devel oped these programs based on the pa tient's "Home Activity Assessment. " Nursing and Physical Therapy then monitored the patient's compliance with the exercise program during the "run" on the Biostator.
The Biostator print-out (see Table I, p. 13) was used in a retrospective study of the effect of exercise on the patient's blood glucose levels. It was found that the median decrease in blood sugar immediately after cessa tion of exercise was - 6mgldl and for 15 minutes after cessation of exercise was — 12mg/dl. Empirical data is im portant to the patient so that they may balance exercise, diet, and insulin to keep blood glucose levels in control.
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