Mindfulness Beneficial for Veterans With Diabetes

 

 

 

Mindfulness Beneficial for Veterans with Diabetes

 

AADE: American Association of Diabetes Educators
Updated: Aug 8th 2014

 

 

FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A mindfulness intervention is feasible for U.S. veterans with diabetes and can improve diabetes control and reduce diabetes-related distress, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), held from Aug. 6 to 9 in Orlando, Fla.

 

Monica DiNardo, Ph.D., from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, examined the feasibility of implementing a mindfulness intervention for 28 U.S. veterans with diabetes (78.6 percent type 2 diabetes). The veterans participated in a 90-minute intervention, which included group discussion, didactic presentation, and formal mindfulness meditation practices, and were directed to practice at home for three months.
 

The researcher found that all participants found the intervention interesting and easy to understand; 96 percent planned to continue practicing mindfulness and 92 percent would recommend mindfulness to other veterans with diabetes. After three months there was an average decrease of 41 percent in diabetes-related distress, and veterans' hemoglobin A1c levels decreased significantly, from 8.3 to 7.3 percent (P < 0.01). Diabetes management improved, with more participants meeting AADE-7 self-care behavioral goals (P < 0.01).
 

"The veterans were much more receptive to mindfulness training than we anticipated," DiNardo said in a statement. "We were surprised at the dramatic decrease in diabetes-related stress. The veterans said the more mindful they were, the better they were able to manage their diabetes."


 

More Information
DiNardo disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

• Primary Source

  American Association of Diabetes Educators

  Source Reference: DiNardo M "Incorporating mindfulness training into DSME for stress reduction and healthy coping in U.S. veterans with diabetes" AADE 2014.

Link:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140806093933.htm