Adherence
Behavioral programs for type 2 diabetes mellitus provide clinically important glycemic control improvements (≥0.4% reduction in HbA1c) only when they offer 11 or more contact hours and include an added support component (clinical, behavioral, or psychosocial).
To effectively manage type 2 diabetes through behavioral programs, you need more than just information. Look for programs that offer at least 11 hours of contact time and include a dedicated support phase (clinical, behavioral, or psychosocial). Programs delivered in person with group interaction tend to be more effective than those relying solely on technology or brief educational sessions.
A Bayesian network meta-analysis showed that most lifestyle and diabetes self-management education and support programs (usually offering ≥11 contact hours) led to clinically important improvements in glycemic control (≥0.4% reduction in hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), whereas most diabetes self-management education programs without added support— especially those offering 10 or fewer contact hours—provided little benefit.
Why this rating
High-quality evidence from a network meta-analysis of 132 randomized controlled trials, though the authors note medium or high risk of bias in the underlying trials.
Source
Behavioral Programs for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Jennifer Pillay et al. · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2015
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