Effectiveness of Lifestyle Modification Counseling on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle modification counseling using lifestyle intervention holistic model and its adherence towards glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This quasi-experimental prospective study was conducted among 224 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Delhi Diabetes Research Center, New Delhi. The study participants were allocated to lifestyle modification counseling group (intervention) and usual care (control) group based on receiving or not receiving lifestyle modification counseling using lifestyle intervention holistic model. Effect of counseling on glycemic control was assessed at baseline and follow up of both the groups at 3rd, 6th and 12th months after receiving lifestyle modification counseling. The collected data was analyzed for percentage, mean, median, standard deviation, chi-squared, t-test and Wilcoxon test. In this study, the lifestyle modification counseling proved to be effective and showed significant improvement in fasting blood sugar (175.5 +/- 32.3 to 144.7 +/- 17.6), postprandial blood sugar (275.5 +/- 61.3 to199.0 +/- 48.3), hemoglobin A1c by 9.3 +/- 1.5 to 8.4 +/- 1.3. Significant improvement was observed in diastolic blood pressure (82.6 +/- 7.0 to 79.4 +/- 6.1) and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (47.3 +/- 10.5 to 58.8 +/- 5.6) from 3rd to12th months follow up with significant p value < 0.001 in the intervention group. The study showed good adherence to balanced diet, physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol cessation but less adherence was observed towards meditation for stress management, regular checkups, and medicine adherence. Lifestyle modification counseling is an effective, noninvasive approach towards glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Lifestyle intervention holistic model used in this counseling may be helpful for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients to improve adherence and self-care behavior towards the management of their diabetes.