Shared Medical Appointments and Mindfulness for Type 2 Diabetes-A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) presents significant personal and healthcare costs.
• Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are increasingly explored for T2DM management.
• Integrating mindfulness into SMAs may offer additional benefits for T2DM care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of SMAs incorporating mindfulness for T2DM management in Australian primary care.
• To evaluate the potential clinical impact of this intervention on glycemic control and other health markers.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind randomized controlled feasibility study was conducted in Western Sydney, Australia.
• Participants with T2DM attended programmed SMAs (pSMAs) with a mindfulness component or received usual care.
• Data collected included glycemic control, lipids, anthropometrics, blood pressure, psychological outcomes, quality of life, diet, and physical activity.

Main Results:

• High retention (94.4%) and completion rates were observed for the pSMAs.
• Participants reported positive experiences, improved self-acceptance, and empowerment for lifestyle changes.
• Significant reductions in total cholesterol and pain intensity were noted in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Programmed shared medical appointments with mindfulness are feasible and acceptable for individuals with T2DM.
• The intervention shows potential for clinical improvements, warranting further investigation.
• A fully-powered randomized controlled trial is recommended to confirm these findings.