Peer telephone counseling for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case-study approach to inform the design, development, and evaluation of programs targeting physical activity

Ronald C. Plotnikoff, Steven T. Johnson, Mila Luchak, Cathy Pollock, Nicholas L. Holt, Annabel Leahy, Tanis Liebreich, Ronald J. Sigal, Normand G. Boulé

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Purpose The purpose of this case study was to determine the feasibility of peer-led telephone counseling for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus related to physical activity (PA) and to establish preliminary efficacy of peer-led telephone counseling for eliciting recommended changes in PA-related cognitions and behaviors for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 8 adults (5 males and 3 females, aged 59.5 (6.5) years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus completed quantitative self-report measures of aerobic-based PA, resistance training (RT), along with metrics from social cognitive theory (SCT) before and after a 12-week intervention. Qualitative data from weekly peer-led telephone sessions were collected by a peer counselor and subsequently organized into themes and analyzed using a mixed-methods, collective case-study approach. Results PA behaviors remained relatively constant over the 12-week intervention. Self-efficacy for RT improved (z = -2.03; P =. 04). From the peer counselor's perspective, identifiable inhibitors to PA, which included low self-efficacy and disease condition limitations, were successfully translated into enablers/motivators. Perceived health benefits were frequently reported by the peer counselor as motivators for the participants over the study period. Participants believed peer counseling by telephone influenced their decision to continue to participate in PA. Conclusion Theory-based, peer-led telephone counseling shows some promise for increasing receptiveness to PA, but had little effect on improving behavior for most participants. Further studies will be necessary to determine the effectiveness and the sustainability of this approach.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)717-729
    Number of pages13
    JournalDiabetes Educator
    Volume36
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct. 2010

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Peer telephone counseling for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case-study approach to inform the design, development, and evaluation of programs targeting physical activity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this