Social Support Groups in the Maintenance of Glycemic Control after Community-Based Intervention

J Diabetes Res. 2016:2016:7913258. doi: 10.1155/2016/7913258. Epub 2016 Aug 3.

Abstract

Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NH/PI; e.g., Samoan and Chuukese) have higher type 2 diabetes prevalence compared to other groups in Hawai'i. Partners in Care (PIC), a culturally tailored, community-based, diabetes self-management education intervention (DSME), is effective at improving participants' glycemic control and self-care behaviors. Maintenance of improvements is challenging. Diabetes-related social support groups (SSG) are a promising maintenance component for DSME. This study examined the effects of a diabetes-specific SSG component relative to a control group, after the receipt of the 3-month PIC intervention, which was delivered to 47 adult NH/PI with type 2 diabetes. Participants were then randomized to either a 3-month, 6-session SSG or a control group. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, and diabetes self-management knowledge and behaviors were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results indicated significant improvements in HbA1c, diabetes-related self-management knowledge, and behaviors from baseline to 3-month assessment. However, no differences between the SSG and control group from 3-month to 6-month assessment suggest that all participants were able to maintain initial improvements. The SSG group had a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure from 3-month to 6-month assessment while the control group did not. Study limitations and future directions are discussed.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Self Care
  • Self-Help Groups*
  • Social Support*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Triglycerides
  • hemoglobin A1c protein, human
  • Cholesterol