Exercise improved balance and cognition in adults with type 2 diabetes
Last updated May 6, 2026
Key finding
In adults with type 2 diabetes, both supervised dual-task and single-task exercise programs improved balance, functional mobility, and cognitive performance over 8 weeks compared with no exercise.
This trial tested two supervised exercise programs in adults with type 2 diabetes: one used balance training alone and the other paired balance training with cognitive tasks. After 8 weeks, both exercise groups improved balance, mobility, and several cognitive measures more than the control group, while dual-task training showed an extra advantage mainly for overall MoCA score.
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Study at a glance
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EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
In adults with type 2 diabetes, both supervised dual-task and single-task exercise programs improved balance, functional mobility, and cognitive performance over 8 weeks compared with no exercise.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Aslan Kolukisa S, Taspinar F, Taspinar B. Examining the Effects of Dual and Single Task Exercises in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. 2026;15(7):2761. doi:10.3390/jcm15072761
Main Effects
Dual-task walking performance ↓ improved in both exercise groups versus control
Balance test errors and completion times ↓ after both exercise programs
Cognitive screening scores ↑, with the largest MoCA gain in the dual-task group
Evidence Suggest
- Both exercise groups improved TUG performance under single-task and dual-task conditions more than the control group.
- Both exercise groups improved balance and functional mobility measures, including BESS, FSST, TUG, and FRT.
- Cognitive outcomes improved in both exercise groups, and MoCA total score improved more in the dual-task group than in the other groups.
Who this applies to
This study applies most directly to middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes who can walk independently and do not have major diabetes-related complications, severe sensory loss, or medical conditions that would limit exercise participation.
Keep in Mind
The benefits were shown in a relatively small supervised program with one-on-one physiotherapist support, so results may not be identical in routine unsupervised care. Also, the dual-task program was not clearly better than the single-task program on most outcomes, so the safest conclusion is that structured exercise helped, while added cognitive tasks may offer selective extra benefit.
Between the Lines
- The final analyzed sample was small.
- Participants and therapists were not blinded.
- The follow-up lasted only 8 weeks with no longer-term outcome assessment.
- People with diabetic complications were excluded, which limits generalizability.
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