Enhancing Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes: The ENHANCE Study

This randomized study, the ENHANCE Study (Enhancing Adherence to Diabetes Self-Management) will test a behavioral intervention, based on social cognitive theory (SCT), to improve regimen adherence in three different groups of people with type 2 diabetes; (1) HbA1c \< 8% and no concurrent chronic renal insufficiency, (2) HbA1c\>8% and no chronic renal insufficiency, and (3) those with evidence of chronic renal insufficiency regardless of glucose control. The primary aims of this study are to: 1. . Determine whether the intervention improves behavioral adherence to the diabetes self-management regimen including: 1.a. dietary adherence, as measured by self-report using dietary recalls and the Nutrient Data System, 1.b. physical activity as measured by the CHAMPS Physical Activity Questionnaire as well as pedometer readings, and 1.c. adherence to capillary glucose self-monitoring as assessed by the FreeStyle monitor. 2. . Determine whether the intervention improves clinical outcome measures including: 2.a. glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c), 2.b. weight loss, 2.c. anthropometrics. 3. . Explore the extent to which self-efficacy is a mediator of adherence. 4. . Explore the extent to which the effectiveness of the intervention varies with respect to glycemic control and nephrovascular complications at baseline. 5. . Explore the impact of a variety of covariates (medications, depression, social support, severity of disease, and general health and sociodemographic characteristics, clinic from which they were recruited, health literacy, and trust in research) on the effectiveness of the intervention. Hypothesis #1 is that intervention group participants will perform better than attention control group participants on various measures of adherence to the diabetes management regimen. Primary behavioral adherence variables will be dietary intake, and physical activity. Hypothesis #2 is that intervention group participants will have lower HbA1c levels than attention control group participants. The 6-month intervention includes group classes, held weekly during months 1\&2, biweekly during months 3\&4, and monthly during month 5\&6. Classes focus on building a sense of mastery over the diabetes regimen and features the use of PDA-base dietary self-monitoring. Intervention group participants are compared to an attention care group, that receives monthly contacts. Measurements are made at baseline, 3, and 6 months.