PMID 32099663

Research
All papers

Feasibility of procedures for a randomised pilot study of reduced exertion, high-intensity interval training (REHIT) with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia patients

Haines M

Question

Is it feasible and acceptable to deliver a randomized pilot study of REHIT for non-diabetic hyperglycemia patients in a real NHS specialist diabesity service?

Summary

This feasibility study tried to run a short REHIT cycling program in a UK hospital diabesity service for people with non-diabetic hyperglycemia. Recruitment and trial procedures were not feasible as designed, but the small group who started exercise showed very high session adherence, no adverse events, and acceptable exertion and enjoyment.

Methodology

  • Patients with non-diabetic hyperglycemia recruited from a specialist diabesity clinic
  • 6 participants.
  • Magnetically braked cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 5 seconds maximal effort.
  • Recovery: Low-intensity cycling between sprints within 10-minute session.
  • Intensity: Maximal effort against 7.5% body mass braking force.
  • 10 minutes.
  • 2-3 sessions/week.
  • 5-7 weeks.
  • Feasibility pilot study originally intended as randomized controlled pilot
  • Recruitment, REHIT adherence, Acceptability, and Adverse events were tracked.

Outcomes

Recruitment

Recruitment and consent were too low for the planned randomized pilot design.

7% of screened and 16% of eligible patients were recruited; control arm abandoned.

Safety concern

Session adherence

Participants who did not drop out completed nearly all prescribed sessions.

73/75 sessions completed, 97% among non-dropouts.

Improved

Acceptability

REHIT was tolerable and enjoyable by the study's affect, RPE, and enjoyment thresholds.

Peak FS 1.4-2.6; peak RPE 12.7-13.9; EES 5.1-6.

Improved

Adverse events

No adverse events were reported during or because of REHIT.

0 adverse events.

Improved

Insights

  • A protocol can look very acceptable among completers but still fail because recruitment, staffing, location, and eligibility processes do not work.
  • For app onboarding, reducing workout duration is not enough; perceived burden includes travel, scheduling, confidence, and trust.
  • Track affect and exertion alongside attendance when testing intense short workouts.

Limitations

  • Very small sample.
  • Control arm abandoned.
  • No randomization feasibility data.
  • No clinical efficacy inference.
  • No qualitative interviews to explain nonparticipation.

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported during or because of REHIT.
  • Participants were screened as low or medium exercise risk; high-risk patients were excluded.
  • ECG screening and HbA1c confirmation were used before starting.