A six-week diabetes program helped people feel more able in four of eight skills

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   46 adults with diabetes were put into the program or a waiting list at random. Another 18 took part without random assignment, and 64 were counted in all. Most were middle-aged women, and more than half used insulin.

2. 02

   What they did

   People in the program met six times, once a week for two hours, in groups. They worked through 21 worksheets on goals, problem solving, coping and stress. The waiting group got nothing for six weeks, then took the same program.

3. 03

   What happened

   Compared with the waiting group, the program group felt more able in four of eight skills, such as setting goals. Their attitudes to diabetes also improved on two of five measures. Average blood sugar fell from about 11.8% to 11.0% in the program group, while the waiting group barely changed.

What the study found

1. MixedMotivation

   Six weekly sessions made people feel more able in four areas, such as setting goals, but not in four others.

   • Action: Solve problems step by steptested
   • Action: Set a specific goaltested
   • Rule: Choose it yourselftested
   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Small randomised trial of 46 adults with diabetes in Michigan · vs people who were on the waiting list · they rated themselves · ⚠ only counted people who finished; summary claims more than the results show

2. MixedOther outcomes

   The program made people less negative about diabetes, but not more positive.

   • Action: Solve problems step by steptested
   • Action: Set a specific goaltested
   • Rule: Choose it yourselftested
   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Small randomised trial of 46 adults with diabetes in Michigan · vs people who were on the waiting list · they rated themselves · ⚠ only counted people who finished; summary claims more than the results show

3. HelpedOther outcomes

   Blood sugar improved a little more in the program group, but the two groups were tested at different times.

   • Action: Solve problems step by steptested
   • Action: Set a specific goaltested
   • Rule: Choose it yourselftested
   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Small randomised trial of 46 adults with diabetes in Michigan · vs people who were on the waiting list · they rated themselves · ⚠ only counted people who finished; summary claims more than the results show

Source