Effects of a psychological intervention on glycemic control and psychological distress in individuals with type 2 diabetes

Aims: Increasing evidence suggests that psychological distress play an important role in the development and worsening of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Among the spectrum of psychological disorders, there is a wide literature about the association between depression and T2D and current data show an approximately two-fold prevalence of depression in adults affected by diabetes compared to un-affected individuals. Moreover, depression in individuals with T2D is associated with higher blood glucose levels, poorer adherence to therapeutic regimens, more medical complications, and higher hospitalization rates. Nevertheless, at the best of our knowledge, the mechanisms underlying the association between depression and adverse diabetes-related outcomes are currently poorly understood. Aim of this project was to assess the efficacy of a psychological intervention in individuals with T2D on suboptimal glycemic control. Methods: Fifty-five subjects, 25 females and 30 males were randomized to standard diabetes care or 24 individual weekly sessions of psychological intervention. Those who agreed to take part in the study completed survey batteries at the end of the study (T26) and at 12-week follow-up (T38).Results: Among those who completed the 24-week study evaluation the group assigned to psychological intervention showed lower hemoglobin Ale (HbAlc) levels (p=0.02) and body mass index (BMi) (p=0.005), markedly reduced anxiety e depression and higher perceived self-efficacy (p