Improving Diabetes Outcomes with a Multimodal Intervention for Less Advantaged Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

If proper self-management behaviors are not maintained, diabetes may lead to reduced quality of life (QoL), decreased engagement in everyday activities, disabling health complications, and even death. Less advantaged adults with limited income, lower education, and fewer resources find diabetes self-management (DSM) particularly challenging due to healthcare and social inequalities. DSM education is important to understanding diabetes-related behaviors and improving QoL. There are few evidence informed DSM education programs directed specifically at less advantaged adults. The purpose of this study was to develop and test feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel virtual intervention that merged prior evidence-informed yoga, occupational therapy, and nutrition education (MY-OT-ED) practices. Five participants were recruited throughout communities near the research university for a nine-week DSM education program that was held twice a week. DSM-related health and QoL measures were tested at baseline, immediately after MY-OT-ED, and six to eight weeks following the intervention. Primary outcomes studied included QoL, DSM, diabetes distress, and diabetes self-efficacy. Percent change was calculated to assess if any significant DSM-related changes occurred. Positive changes were found in all outcomes following the nine-week intervention and were maintained at follow-up. While limitations of the study were noted, results provide preliminary evidence that MY-OT-ED was feasible, acceptable, and has the potential to improve diabetic outcomes for less advantaged adults.