Efficacy of a language-concordant health coaching intervention for latinx with diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To describe the effect of a language-concordant health coaching intervention for Spanish-speaking patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) on glycemic control, anxiety, depression, and diabetes self-efficacy.

Methods: 64 patients with T2D were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. Outcomes were assessed by blood work and surveys pre and post intervention.

Results: The mean sample age was 47.8 years (SD=11.3) and 81% were female. HbA1c was not significantly different between groups at baseline. The intervention group's HbA1c was significantly lower at times 2 and 3 than in the control arm (p < .01 and p < .001). There were significant reductions in the intervention group's mean HbA1c levels from baseline 10.37 to midpoint 9.20, p < .001; and from baseline 10.42 to study end 8.14, p < .001. Depression and anxiety scores significantly decreased (p < .05 and p < .001), and diabetes self-efficacy significantly increased (p < .001).

Conclusion: Health coaching led to statistically significant and clinically meaningful decreases in HbA1c, depression, and anxiety scores among LEP Latinx adults with uncontrolled T2D.

Practice implications: Heath coaching can be conducted in primary care clinics by nurses or advanced practice nurses. The short-term intervention tested here could be adapted to the clinical setting.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02864160.

Keywords: Diabetes; Health behaviors; Health disparities; Intervention research; Language; Linguistics; Management; Nursing practice; Self.