Trial Outcomes & Findings for Intervention to Improve Diabetes Outcomes in Older African American Women With Multi-Caregiving Burden (NCT NCT04831697)

Recruitment occurred through community outreach and engagement in collaboration with community partners. Study information, eligibility criteria, and contact information for study personnel were detailed in correspondence materials of community partners and their affiliated networks. The recruitment flyer was displayed prominently in locations throughout the community. Self-referral/word-of-mouth was encouraged in response to recruitment flyers, the snowball method, and study advertisements.

A total of 60 Black women between the ages of 40-64, in the sandwich and club-sandwich generations, with multi-caregiving responsibilities, defined as the provision of informal care (emotional, physical/tangible, financial, spiritual support) to parents/grandparents, children/grandchildren, significant others, or others in their social networks within the larger community, were enrolled in the study.

Trained personnel collected 100cc of blood via venipuncture to measure hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). All collections were performed in the community at a location convenient for the study participant. At the screening visit, the HbA1c had to be 8% or greater to be eligible for participation.

Physical activity was measured using the 7-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) that asks about physical activities over the last 7 days. The minimum and maximum values can vary; however, IPAQ provides ranges for physical activity in MET-minutes per week (MET-min/wk). MET-min/wk: The primary unit, calculated by multiplying minutes per week by the MET value (e.g., walking=3.3, moderate=4.0, vigorous=8.0). Low: No activity or not meeting moderate/high criteria. Moderate: Meeting criteria like 3+ days vigorous activity (≥20 min/day) OR 5+ days moderate/walking (≥30 min/day) OR 5+ days combined (≥600 MET-min/wk). High: Meeting criteria like 3+ days vigorous activity (≥1500 MET-min/wk) OR 7+ days combined (≥3000 MET-min/wk).

Blood pressure measurements were obtained by the nurse/health educator using an automated BP monitor with participants seated comfortably for 5 minutes prior to the measurements.

Blood glucose monitoring was assessed with the previously validated Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) scale, where scores are calculated for each of the five areas assessed by the SDSCA over the past 7 days: diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring, foot care, and smoking status. Higher scores mean more engagement in self-care behaviors.

Medication adherence was measured with the 6-item validated self-report Brooks Medication Adherence Scale. Each question asks yes-no questions about adherence, where a "no" response indicates better adherence.

The SF-12 is a valid and reliable instrument that was used to measure functional status and yielded summary physical (PCS-12) and mental health (MCS-12) outcome scores. Summary scores range from 0 to 100 where higher scores mean better quality of life.