697-P: Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Background and Aim: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention using uses mindfulness strategies and acceptance along with commitment and behavior. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of group-based ACT on self-management of patients with diabetes.

Methods: One hundred and six patients with type2 diabetes were randomly assigned either to the education alone (conventional group, n = 53) to a combination of education and 4-hour ACT workshop (ACT group, n = 53). Observation period was 12 months, and both groups were allowed to change hypoglycemic drugs after 6 months. The primary outcome was HbA1c change after 6 months. Major secondary outcome was HbA1c change after 12 months, change of body weight, carolie intake, and physical activity.

Results: After 6 and 12 months, there was no significant difference of HbA1c change between conventional group and ACT group. In patients with a low degree of psychological diabetes avoidance as assessed by acceptance and action diabetes questionary (AADQ) score, HbA1c reduction of ACT group tended to be greater than conventional group. There was no significant difference of body weight change between the two groups. Carolie intake after 12 months in ACT group was significantly lower than conventional group, whereas there was no significant difference of physical activity.

Conclusions: In this study, a single 4-hour workshop intervention did not significantly reduce HbA1c, although it did reduce caloric intake. However, in patients with high AADQ scores, a single workshop intervention may be effective in lowering HbA1c.