The effectiveness of an emotion‐focused educational programme in reducing diabetes distress in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (VEMOFIT): a cluster randomized controlled trial. Issue 6 (30th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chew, B. H.; Vos, R. C.; Stellato, R. K.; Ismail, M.; Rutten, G. E. H. M.
• Is Part Of: Diabetic medicine. Volume 35:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 750
• Page End: 759
• Publication Date: 2018-03-30
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.13615
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3071

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, value‐based emotion‐focused educational programme (VEMOFIT) in Malay adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with a programme of active listening to participants' emotional experiences, social support and their opinion on the health clinic diabetes care services (attention control). Methods: Malay adults with severe diabetes distress [Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS‐17) mean score ≥ 3] were included. VEMOFIT consisted of four biweekly group sessions, a booster session after 3 months and a follow‐up 6 months post intervention. The attention control programme consisted of three sessions over the same period. Outcomes included diabetes distress, depressive symptoms, self‐efficacy and disease control. Required total sample size was 165. Results: Participants ( n = 124) were randomized to either VEMOFIT ( n = 53) or the attention control programme ( n = 71). Participants had a mean (sd ) age of 55.7 (9.7) years, median diabetes duration of 7.0 (8.0) years and mean HbA1c level of 82 mmol/mol (9.7%). The mean DDS‐17 level decreased significantly in both the VEMOFIT and the attention control programmes (3.4 to 2.9 vs. 3.1 to 2.7, respectively). The adjusted between‐group DDS‐17 difference was not significant [−0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.38, 0.35]. The proportion of individuals with severe diabetes distress decreased in both groups, from 89% to 47% vs. 69% to 39% (odds ratio 0.88; 95% CI 0.26, 2.90). Other outcomes did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Both interventions decreased diabetes distress significantly. The theory‐based VEMOFIT programme was not superior to the attention control programme. The latter approach is a simpler way to decrease severe diabetes distress (Trial registration: NCT02730078; NMRR‐15‐1144‐24803). What's new?: The attention control programme proved to be equally successful in decreasing diabetes distress and improving diabetes control compared with the theory‐based and fully structured value‐based emotion‐focused educational programme (VEMOFIT). In addition to standard diabetes primary care, the attention control programme consisted of active listening to factors relevant to people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which are an individual's emotional experience, social support and the health clinic's services regarding diabetes.