Effectiveness of a One-day Diabetes Group Education Session for Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: A strategy of a diabetes group education session as a diabetes camp without staying overnight is commonly practiced in Thailand for type 2 diabetes patients. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of diabetes control between a group education session and non-intervention in type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted between May 2015 and January 2016 at the Diabetes Clinic, Naresuan University Hospital, and 6 Health Promotion Hospitals. Type 2 diabetes patients with Glycosylated Haemoglobin Level (A1C) levels of more than 8% who received insulin with or without oral hypoglycaemic treatment were randomly assigned to join or not to join a 1-day diabetes group education session or a so-called Diabetes Day Camp. The primary outcomes were glycaemic control determined by fructosamine value and A1C level, 2 weeks and 3 months after finishing the intervention, respectively. Chi-square test and independent t-test were used for comparison of demographic data and final outcomes between the experimental group and the control. Before and after outcome analysis within group was determined by paired t-test. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After exclusion, there were 68 patients left for analysis, 33 in the interventional group and 35 in the control group. The 33 patients assigned to the interventional group attended one of the two consecutive sessions of a 1-day group education intervention conducted on August 8 and October 31, 2015. There were no significant differences in fructosamine values (mg/dL) and A1C levels (%) after finishing the intervention between the interventional group and control group (281.03 +/- 49.20 versus 287.94 +/- 74.08; p=0.654 and 8.99 +/- 1.37 versus 9.16 +/- 2.03; p=0.695, respectively). Conclusion: Author's program of behavioural modification through a 1-day diabetes group education session in type 2 diabetes patients has not shown any improvement in glycaemic control as compared with non-intervention. Adding a booster or extending duration should be considered for further studies.