Empowerment in Type 2 diabetes: A patient-centred approach for lifestyle change

To evaluate the effectiveness of personalized lifestyle intervention service for persons with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), implemented in a real-world setting at two Healthy Life Centers (HLC) in Norway.

Persons with T2D were randomized into either an HLC intervention group or a usual care group for 12 weeks. All participants were screened using a questionnaire tool and had one initial patient-centred health conversation at the HLC. In the intervention group, participants chose interventions with support from HLC staff. The usual care group continued independently. Outcome variables were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks (if completing two interventions).

110 participants were included (mean age 59.9, 59 % T2D duration < 10 years, 36 % females). There was no significant difference in HbA1c change between intervention and usual care groups (mean difference -1.2 mmol/l, 95 % CI: -3.7 to 1.3, p = 0.33). HbA1c was significantly reduced in both groups (mean reduction 3.8 mmol/l (95 % CI: 2.1 to 5.5, p < 0.001) vs. 2.6 mmol/l (95 % CI: 0.7 to 4.4, p = 0.006), respectively).

Both the HLC personalized follow-up and usual care groups reduced HbA1c with no significant differences between groups. This suggests that low-threshold municipal healthcare can effectively support lifestyle changes in individuals with T2D.