title: Engaging South Asian women with type 2 diabetes in a culturally relevant exercise intervention: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT02061618.
authors.affiliation: University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health , Berkeley, California , USA.
authors.forename: Alamelu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Natesan
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute , Palo Alto, California , USA.
authors.forename: Vani C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Nimbal
authors.affiliation: University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health , Berkeley, California , USA.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ivey
authors.affiliation: Stanford University School of Medicine , Palo Alto, California , USA.
authors.forename: Elsie J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health , Berkeley, California , USA.
authors.forename: Kristine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.affiliation: Stanford University School of Medicine , Palo Alto, California , USA.
authors.forename: Latha P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Palaniappan
keywords: Exercise Interventions; Race; Randomized Controlled Trial; Type 2 Diabetes