Correlation of Talk Test with Heart Rate Reserve and Rating of Perceived Exertion among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Context: Prescription of exact doses and adherence to home exercise are always an issue for patients as well as for health-care professionals. Talk test (TT) is a subjective tool for exercise prescription that can be easily implemented in home settings. However, its validity and reliability are not established among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Study Setting and Design: Observational study conducted at the outpatient department of civil hospital, Panchkula. Subjects and Methods: Fifty T2DM patients underwent exercise testing on a treadmill. Speaking comfort, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) level were noted at the completion of each stage of the modified Bruce protocol. Heart rate reserve (HRR) was calculated using the formula HRR = HRmax − HRrest. Statistical Analysis Used: Spearman’s rho test was used to explore the correlation among the study variables. Results: At a moderate level of exercise, the correlation is significant between HRR and TT (r = −0.514; P = 0.020), but the correlation between HRR-RPE is negligible (r = 0.293; P = 0.209). At a vigorous level of exercise, HRR is again correlated with TT (r = −0.539; P = 0.017), but the correlation between HRR and RPE is low (r = 0.439; P = 0.061). Conclusion: The study found that TT is correlated with HRR compared to RPE at a moderate level of intensity. Moderate–intensity exercises are the most common form of exercise prescribed to patients with T2DM. Therefore, it may be concluded that TT is a valid and reliable major of exercise prescription for patients with T2DM.