Validation of a self-administered version of the Mediterranean diet scale (MDS) for cardiac rehabilitation patients in Canada.

The Mediterranean dietary pattern has been linked with lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and the Mediterranean diet scale (MDS) has been created to incorporate and test the inherent characteristics of this dietary pattern. This study aimed to psychometrically validate a self-administered version of the MDS in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients in Canada. To establish content validity, the scale was reviewed by an expert interdisciplinary panel. A final version of the tool was tested in 150 CR patients. Cronbach's alpha was 0.69. All ICC coefficients met the minimum recommended standard. Factor analysis revealed four factors, all internally consistent. Criterion validity was supported by significant differences in total scores by duration in CR. Construct validity was supported by agreements between the self-administered MDS and original MDS in all items and with the 3-day food record in 8 of 13 items. In conclusion, the self-administered version of the MDS demonstrated good reliability and validity.

Effects of exercise training parameters on cardiorespiratory fitness of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To assess the effects of exercise training parameters on cardiorespiratory fitness of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020210470). Searches were performed on PubMed, PEDro EMBASE, MEDLINE (Ovid), LILACS, PsycINFO, SCIELO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness, defined as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during a maximal or submaximal exercise test. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Data were pooled using a random effects model and expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Heterogeneity (I2) was assessed using Cochran's Q test. The risk of bias and quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE. Results: Twenty-two studies comparing exercise and control groups were included. The risk of bias indicated some concerns in most studies, and the quality of evidence was rated very low. Interventions with moderate (MD = 1.91, 95%CI = .58 to 3.34) and progressive exercise intensity (MD = 2.70, 95%CI = 2.43 to 2.96) and volume (MD = 1.72, 95%CI = .59 to 2.85) showed greater improvements in VO2max. Conclusions: Protocols that progressively increased exercise training parameters improved the cardiorespiratory fitness response. Progressive exercise might be more suitable for individuals with T2DM. Our conclusion may be limited due to the very low quality of evidence. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01205-5.