Behavioural programs could benefit type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients

Behavioural interventions could provide benefits for type 1 diabetes patients and type 2 diabetes patients with poor blood glucose control, new research finds.
Two separate reviews were conducted by researchers at Edmonton Clinic Health Academy at the University of Alberta.
In the first study on type 1 diabetes patients, data from six electronic databases from 1993 and June 2015 was evaluated, and 35 prospective controlled studies were analysed that compared behavioural programs with standard care.
Behavioural programs were identified as being beneficial for glycemic control, and they led to greater reductions in HbA1c when compared to standard care and controls after six months.
In the study on type 2 diabetes patients, 132 randomised studies were analysed and data was taken from six databases between 1993 and January 2015.
Behavioural programs were of use to patients with poor glycemic control, but diabetes self-management education (DSME) of less than 11 contact hours provided little benefit.
Study author Jennifer Pillay, BSc, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, said of the type 1 study findings: “Current evidence does not support encouraging patients with [type 1 diabetes] to participate in behaviour programs to improve outcomes apart from HbA1c. At this time, clinicians still must monitor patients after participating in these programs.”
Regarding the type 2 study findings, Pillay added: “We found that most lifestyle and DSME plus support programs led to clinically important improvements in glycemic control, but that most DSME programs without an added support component provided little benefit.”