Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effects of HIIT Following PTR Programme

This study wants to find out if a specific type of exercise, called High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), can help people who have successfully put their Type 2 diabetes into remission to keep it that way. We know that while powerful diet programs like the NHS Path to Remission (PTR) can reverse diabetes, it can sometimes come back after a few years. HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise and has shown promise in improving how the body manages blood sugar. Researchers at the Royal Derby Hospital will ask 20 volunteers from Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire, who have completed the PTR program and are now diabetes-free, to join. Half will do the home-based HIIT program three times a week for 16 weeks, while the other half will continue their normal activities. The study aims to see if HIIT helps maintain the body's ability to produce insulin, which is key for long-term remission.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2027

Obesity & Overweight Type 2 Diabetes

What is this study about?

Many people with Type 2 diabetes can achieve remission, meaning their blood sugar levels return to normal without medication. Programs like the NHS Path to Remission (PTR) are very good at helping people do this, largely through weight loss. However, studies show that for a lot of people, the diabetes can unfortunately come back after a few years. Because of this, doctors and researchers are always looking for ways to help people stay in remission for as long as possible.

This study is looking into a popular type of exercise called High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT. This isn't just any exercise; it involves short, powerful bursts of activity followed by brief rest periods. HIIT has been shown to be very effective in improving fitness, lowering blood pressure, and reducing body fat, all in less time than traditional exercise. Importantly for diabetes, it might also help the pancreas (the part of your body that makes insulin) work better.

We want to see if adding a home-based HIIT exercise program could help people who have successfully reversed their Type 2 diabetes through the NHS PTR program to maintain their remission. The study will take place at the Royal Derby Hospital and aims to understand if HIIT can help your body continue to manage blood sugar effectively in the long run. We hope our findings will help improve care for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Key takeaways

This study explores new ways to help people stay free from Type 2 diabetes after remission.
It investigates High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a specific type of exercise.
Participants will either do home-based HIIT or continue their usual activities.
The study lasts 16 weeks and involves an initial health check at Royal Derby Hospital.
It's for adults (18-70) from Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire who've successfully reversed their Type 2 diabetes.
By joining, you could help improve long-term care for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 70 years old who has completed the NHS Path to Remission program and is currently free from Type 2 diabetes. This means your HbA1c (a measure of your average blood sugar) should be below a certain level (less than 48mmol/mol or 6.5%) and you shouldn't be taking any diabetes medications for at least three months.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have a very high BMI (over 40), are pregnant or breastfeeding, already follow a strict exercise plan, or have certain uncontrolled health conditions like high blood pressure or serious heart, lung, or neurological problems. If you've had cancer treatment recently or have any other condition that the study doctors feel might make it unsafe for you to participate, you would also not be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Have you completed the NHS Path to Remission program?
Is your Type 2 diabetes currently in remission (HbA1c below 6.5% and off medication for 3+ months)?
Are you able to exercise safely without serious heart, lung, or muscle conditions?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding?
Are you NOT already doing formal exercise regularly?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the total commitment will be for 16 weeks. Before you start, you'll visit the Royal Derby Hospital research department. During this visit, we'll take some initial measurements to understand your current health. This will include tests like body shape and fat measurements, blood tests (after you've not eaten for a while), a special glucose test, muscle scans, and a fitness test where you'll exercise while providing breathing samples.

After these initial tests, you'll be put into one of two groups. If you're in the exercise group, you'll be asked to do a home-based HIIT exercise program three times a week for 16 weeks. You'll record details of each session in a booklet. If you're in the other group, you'll continue with your usual daily activities. Throughout the study, we'll stay in touch regularly to make sure you're safe and to check how things are going.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially help us understand how to keep Type 2 diabetes in remission for longer, which could benefit many people in the future. For you personally, if you're in the exercise group, you might see improvements in your fitness and overall health. As with any exercise program, there's a small risk of muscle soreness or injury, but we will contact you regularly to ensure your safety. All medical tests carry a very small risk, but our team at the Royal Derby Hospital will ensure your comfort and safety. Remember, participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without explaining why, and it won't affect your future medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre
Verified postcode
Derby, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is Type 2 diabetes remission?

It means your blood sugar levels are back to normal without needing to take diabetes medication.

What is HIIT exercise?

HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training. It’s a workout where you do short bursts of very hard exercise followed by short rest periods.

Where does the study take place?

The initial assessments will be at the Royal Derby Hospital. The exercise program, if you're in that group, will be home-based.

How long will the study last if I join?

Your involvement in the study will last for 16 weeks in total.

Will I have to pay to take part?

No, all aspects of the study are provided free of charge.

How to find out more

Oluwaseun Anyiam

oluwaseun.anyiam1@nottingham.ac.uk +441332724605 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.