Effect of Breathing and Relaxation Exercises on Serum Cortisol Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetes is a fast-growing health problem in Egypt with a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and health care resources. Aim of the study: To assess the effect of breathing and relaxation exercises on serum cortisol levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Subject and Methods: sixty, type 2 diabetic patients for more than 5 years were selected from the outpatient clinic of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. Their age ranged from 40 to 50 years. Serum cortisol and blood glucose tests were done before the start of the study and after 6 weeks. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups in number (30 patients for each group) performed 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. Group A received aerobic exercise in the form of walking on a treadmill, breathing exercise, and mindfulness meditation, and group B received continuous aerobic exercise only in the form of walking on a treadmill. ( The exercise program included 45 minutes and consist of warming up phase of slow walking on the treadmill for 5 minutes, training phase 35 minutes, and cooling down for 5 minutes) .