Motivational talks may help older women track food and control blood sugar.

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   22 women aged 50 or older with diabetes took part in Birmingham, Alabama, and 41% were Black. Only 16 were analysed: 10 in the standard group and 6 in the motivational group.

2. 02

   What they did

   All women joined a 16-week group weight-control programme, with weekly meetings, food diaries and home blood sugar checks. The motivational group also had three one-to-one talks that explored their mixed feelings about change and their own goals. One talk was at the start and two were in the middle of the 16 weeks.

3. 03

   What happened

   The motivational group handed in more food diaries (15, against 10) and checked blood sugar on more days (46, against 32). Blood sugar control was better after four months (9.8% against 10.8%, lower is better), but the paper's numbers don't match. Both groups lost weight, with no difference between them.

What the study found

1. HelpedGoals

   Three motivational talks led to more food diaries and more blood sugar checks.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Action: Track your progressused
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Very small randomised trial of 16 older women with diabetes · vs the same programme without the talks · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ only counted people who finished; many people dropped out; numbers unreliable

2. HelpedOther outcomes

   Women who had motivational talks had better blood sugar after four months.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Very small randomised trial of 16 older women with diabetes · vs the same programme without the talks · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ only counted people who finished; many people dropped out; numbers unreliable

Source