This is a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of a 20-week family based diabetes self-management intervention on weight change. The intervention is group-based and includes African American adults with diabetes paired with a family member who does not have diagnosed diabetes.
Project Objectives
The overall goal of Family PALS is to evaluate, in a randomized controlled trial, a family-based diabetes self-management intervention for overweight/obese African American adults with type 2 diabetes (the “index participants”) and a paired overweight family member (co-participant) who does not have diabetes. The primary outcome is weight change in the index participant.
Project Description
Type 2 diabetes disproportionately burdens African Americans, and rates of diabetes are expected to increase as rates of obesity rise. While evidence suggests that diabetes self-management training effectively improves metabolic control, and modest weight loss can delay onset of diabetes, we have limited knowledge of the best approach to self-management training in high risk groups. Family remains highly valued in African American life and may be an important behavioral context for interventions to improve disease management and health outcomes. Nonetheless, no family-based interventions for adult families to improve diabetes self-care and achieve modest weight loss exist.
The primary aim of the research is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a culturally specific family-based diabetes self-management intervention in overweight/obese African American adults with type 2 diabetes (the “index participant”) enrolled with an overweight family member (co-participant). The primary outcome is weight change in the index participant. Given the early stage of this research, and the importance of testing a culturally specific intervention, this project includes 2 formative aims that preceded and informed the family-based intervention. They include a validation study among 215 African Americans with diabetes to assess the construct validity and reliability of family interaction surveys. Qualitative data from 8 focus groups with both patients with diabetes and family members was used to refine the intervention.
Funding
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Key Contacts
Principal Investigator: Carmen Samuel Hodge, PhD, MS, RD
Project Director/Manager: Gwendolyn Davis
Key Contact:
Carmen Samuel Hodge
Carmen_samuel@unc.edu
919-966-0360 or toll free at 877-344-1820
Links
http://www.hpdp.unc.edu/news/pals-helps-families-manage-diabetes-together
Publications
Published abstract from oral presentation (symposium):
Samuel-Hodge CD, Cene C, Thomas C, Corsino L, Gonzalez C, Svetkey L. Family Diabetes Matters: A Qualitative Study among African American Adults. ISBNPA Journal 2011.