RESEARCH SUMMARY

Exercise improved balance and cognition in adults with type 2 diabetes

Moderate confidence
Some Concerns bias
Last updated May 6, 2026

Key takeaway:

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.

Study at a glance

Study type

RCTs

duration

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Intervention

Single-task balance training, Motor-cognitive balance exercise

Outcomes

Motor-cognitive dual-task performance, Balance performance, Functional mobility, Cognitive function, Motor-cognitive dual-task performance, Balance performance, Functional mobility, Cognitive function

Funding

Non-industry sponsored

What was studied

Supervised dual-task and single-task exercise programs in adults with type 2 diabetes

What they found

  • 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

mainEffects

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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Sources

guidelines

5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-Being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025

This ADA guideline reviews lifestyle behaviors, exercise, and self-management strategies that support health outcomes in diabetes. It helps place this trial's supervised exercise program in the context of standard diabetes care recommendations.
studiesGroup

Effects of Exercise, Cognitive, and Dual-Task Interventions on Cognition in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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