Abstract
Objective
To assess the effects of behavior change counseling (BCC) motivational interviewing
(MI) sessions strategies in young adults aged 18 to 55 years with uncontrolled type
1 diabetes mellitus in a busy diabetic clinic in Bawshar, Oman, compared to a control
group receiving “treatment as usual.”
Methods
Participants were randomized to BCC/MI intervention group (n = 25; males n = 17 and females n = 8) or control (n = 25; males n = 16 and females n = 9). At week 1 BCC/MI participants had brief MI sessions, while controls received
standard care as per current clinical practice of the existing health care facility.
Assessments were repeated at baseline and 3 months. The data was analyzed using nonparametric
statistical methods like Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at a p -value of less than 0.05. The data analysis was done by software R.
Results and Outcomes
Primary outcomes including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) values were measured at baseline and at 3 months' follow-up. Results showed
a reduction in the intervention group (BCC/MI) of median HBA1c by 1.2% and reduction
in median LDL levels by 0.9 mmol/L. The p -value was p < 0.0001 (significant at p < 0.05). The median HbA1c level in the control group increased by 1.3% and the median
LDL level increased by 0.2 mmol/L after the standard level of care. The p -value was < 0.0001 (significant at p < 0.05).
Conclusion
This is the first study of its kind conducted as part of routine clinical care in
Oman. The results highlight a significant reduction in HbA1c and LDL and benefit to
patients. A larger study is needed to clarify the results and if confirmed, implementing
BCC training to health care providers will reduce diabetes mellitus complications
and the economic burden of Oman.
Keywords BCC - diabetes mellitus - HbA1c - insulin - LDL
