Effect of stress management training on glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes

Aims: In this study, the effect of stress management training on glycemic control has been investigated in type 1 diabetic patients. Methods: The participants were 60 type 1 diabetic patients (aged 16-30). 30 Subjects attended in 3-month stress management training classes during which the prescribed insulin remained constant, but the remainder 30 ones did not. HbA1 from all patients were measured before and after the intervention. Besides, in order to assess the ways of coping, every patient completed a questionnaire and the scores were compared between two groups. Results: Trained patients showed significantly improved ways of coping. HbA1 changed from 11.7 +/- 2.9 and 10.9 +/- 2.1 before training to 8.5 +/- 1.7 and 10.3 +/- 2.1 after intervention in trained and control groups respectively and the changes were significant in study group (P < 0.001). In addition, the difference between means of HbA1 of two groups was statistically significant at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Results show a clinically significant beneficial effect of stress management training on glycemic control among type 1 diabetic patient. It is recommended to consider this type of training as an addition to the treatment program in type 1 diabetic patient. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.