State of the science: diabetes self-management interventions led by nurse principal investigators

The Feasibility and Acceptability of a Diabetes Survival Skills Intervention for Persons Transitioning from Prison to the Community

Community evidenced-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) models have not been examined for feasibility, acceptability, or effectiveness among persons transitioning from prison to the community to independent diabetes self-management (DSM). In a non-equivalent control group design with repeated measures, we examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect of a 6-week, 1-h per week Diabetes Survival Skills (DSS) intervention on diabetes knowledge, distress, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy for transitioning incarcerated males. Of the 92 participants (84% T2D, 83% using insulin, 40% Black, 20% White, 30% Latino, 66% high school or less, mean age 47.3 years, 84% length of incarceration ≤4 years ), 41 completed the study (22 control/19 intervention [TX]). One-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant changes in diabetes knowledge within each group (C, p = .002; TX, p = .027) at all time points; however, a two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no differences between groups. Additionally, both groups showed improvement in diabetes-related distress and outcome expectancy with the treatment group experiencing greater and sustained improvement at the 12-week time point. Analysis of focus group data (Krippendorf) revealed acceptance of and enthusiasm for the DSS training and low literacy education materials, the need for skill demonstration, and ongoing support throughout incarceration and before release. Our results highlight the complexity of working with incarcerated populations. After most of the sessions, we observed some information sharing between the intervention and the control groups on what they did in their respective sessions. Due to high attrition, the power to detect effects was limited. Yet, results suggest that the intervention is feasible and acceptable with an increased sample size and refined recruitment procedure. NCT05510531, 8/19/2022, retrospectively, registered.

Learning in a Virtual Environment to Improve Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Given the importance of self-management in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a major aspect of health is providing diabetes self-management education and support. Known barriers include access, availability, and the lack of follow through on referral to education programs. Virtual education and support have increased in use over the last few years.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the Diabetes Learning in a Virtual Environment (LIVE) study was to compare the effects of the LIVE intervention (educational 3D world) to a diabetes self-management education and support control website on diet and physical activity behaviors and behavioral and metabolic outcomes in adults with T2DM over 12 months.

METHODS

The LIVE study was a 52-week multisite randomized controlled trial with longitudinal repeated measures. Participants were randomized to LIVE (n=102) or a control website (n=109). Both contained the same educational materials, but the virtual environment was synchronous and interactive, whereas the control was a flat website. Data were collected at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months using surveys and clinical, laboratory, and Fitbit measures. Descriptive statistics included baseline characteristics and demographics. The effects of the intervention were initially examined by comparing the means and SDs of the outcomes across the 4 time points between study arms, followed by multilevel modeling on trajectories of the outcomes over the 12 months.

RESULTS

This trial included 211 participants who consented. The mean age was 58.85 (SD 10.1) years, and a majority were White (127/211, 60.2%), non-Hispanic (198/211, 93.8%), married (107/190, 56.3%), and female (125/211, 59.2%). Mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level at baseline was 7.64% (SD 1.79%) and mean BMI was 33.51 (SD 7.25). We examined weight loss status versus randomized group, where data with no weight change were eliminated, and the LIVE group experienced significantly more weight loss than the control group (P=.04). There were no significant differences between groups in changes in physical activity and dietary outcomes (all P>.05), but each group showed an increase in physical activity. Both groups experienced a decrease in mean HbA1c level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides over the course of 12 months of study participation, including those participants whose baseline HbA1c level was 8.6% or higher.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that there were minor positive changes on glycemic targets in both groups over the 12-month study period; however, the majority of the participants began with optimal HbA1c levels. We did find clinically relevant metabolic changes in those who began with an HbA1c level >8.6% in both groups. This study provided a variety of resources to our participants in both study groups, and we conclude that a toolkit with a variety of services would be helpful to improving self-care in the future for persons with T2DM.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02040038; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02040038.

Comparative Effectiveness of Behavioral Interventions for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Latinos: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Latinos, the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States, are at a high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about effective strategies to reduce CVD risk in this population.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials that examined the effectiveness of behavioral interventions to reduce CVD risk in Latinos living in the United States.

METHODS

Four electronic databases were searched for relevant peer-reviewed English- and Spanish-language articles published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2019. Four reviewers independently completed article screening, data abstraction, and quality appraisal. At least 2 reviewers completed data abstraction and quality appraisal for each article, and a third reviewer was assigned to settle disagreements. Data on study characteristics and outcomes were abstracted.

RESULTS

We retrieved 1939 articles. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 17 articles were included. Most interventions were led by community health workers (n = 10); 2 family-based interventions were identified. None of the included studies was nurse led. Behavioral factors were assessed across all included studies, whereas only 4 studies reported on psychosocial outcomes. Improvements were observed in dietary habits and psychosocial outcomes. Findings for physical activity and biological outcomes were mixed. We identified no differences in outcomes based on intervention modalities used or the role of those who led the interventions.

CONCLUSION

Existing evidence is mixed. Future research should assess the effectiveness of understudied treatment modalities (including nurse-led, mobile health, and family-based interventions) in reducing CVD risk in Latinos.

Effectiveness of a self-management support program for type 2 diabetes patients in the first years of illness: Results from a randomized controlled trial

AIMS

To evaluate the immediate and six-month effectiveness of a group-based self-management support program for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (1-3 years post diagnosis) on diabetes self-care, distress and cognitions.

METHODS

People with type 2 diabetes were randomized into the intervention (four group-based interactive sessions) or the control group (a single educational lecture) with their partners. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately after the third course session and six months later using validated questionnaires on diabetes self-care, distress, illness perceptions, diabetes-related attitudes, empowerment and partner support. Multilevel analyses were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle using the data from 82 intervention and 86 control group participants, to test for differences in changes over time between the two groups.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed a significantly higher increase in physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake immediately after the program, whereas the low baseline levels of diabetes distress remained unaffected. Furthermore, the intervention group believed their illness to be more likely to be caused by chance/bad luck, but also felt more empowered to handle their condition and its treatment immediately after the program compared with the control group. Six months later, only the differences in empowerment had persisted.

CONCLUSIONS

Group-based self-management support results in favorable short-term behavioral changes and more persistent alterations in (perceived) empowerment in people living in the first years of type 2 diabetes. In order to achieve more sustainable behavioral changes, more prolonged support is necessary. This could be achieved by integrating attention to patients' illness perceptions and continuous self-management support in regular diabetes care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Netherlands Trial Registry NL3158.

Self-management interventions to improve skin care for pressure ulcer prevention in people with spinal cord injuries: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Pressure ulcers are a serious, common, lifelong, and costly secondary complication of spinal cord injury (SCI). Community-dwelling people with a SCI can prevent them with appropriate skin care (i.e. pressure relieving activities, skin checks). Adherence to skin care remains suboptimal however, and self-management interventions that focus on improving this have been designed. Little is known on their content, effectiveness, or theoretical basis. The aim of the proposed systematic review is to synthesize the literature on self-management interventions to improve skin care in people with a SCI. Specific objectives are to describe these interventions in relation to their content, effectiveness, theory base, and adherence to reporting guidelines for intervention description.

METHODS

The search strategy will combine an electronic search of nine bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Rehabdata, CIRRIE, PEDro, ERIC) and two trial registers with a manual search of relevant reference lists. Predefined eligibility criteria will be applied in a two-phase selection process involving title and abstract screening, followed by full-text screening. A data extraction spreadsheet will be applied to included papers. Intervention content will be coded using two taxonomies (behaviour change taxonomy; PRISMS self-management support taxonomy). A validated tool (Theory Coding Scheme) and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) will be used to examine theoretical basis and assess adherence to reporting guidelines for intervention description. A small number of heterogeneous studies are likely to be included in this review therefore a narrative synthesis is planned.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will help identify the gaps and priorities to guide future research activities in this area.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42016033191.