Randomized trial of a patient empowerment and cognitive training program for older people with diabetes mellitus and cognitive impairment.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined patient empowerment program (PEP) and cognitive training (CT) program on improving glycemic control among older subjects with diabetes and cognitive impairment.

Methods: A prospective single blinded, randomized controlled study was carried out in 139 older patients with diabetes aged ≥65 years with memory complaints and recent glycosylated hemoglobin level of 7-9%. They were randomly assigned to either undergo once-weekly PEP combined with CT for 10 weeks (intervention group, N = 73) or receive no intervention (control group, N = 66). All participants were followed up at months 4 and 12 to examine the immediate and long-term effects on glycemic control, cognition, mood and compliance to drug and diabetes self-management.

Results: The intervention did not significantly reduce glycosylated hemoglobin. The intervention group showed significant progressive improvement in memory over 1 year and executive function improved significantly at month 12. There was no significant change in diabetes self-management activities with the intervention.

Conclusions: Combination of PEP and CT did not improve glycemic control or self-care activities in older patients with diabetes and memory complaints but was effective in improving cognitive function in the longer term. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 1164-1170.