A healthy lifestyle intervention for middle-aged and older schizophrenia patients with diabetes mellitus: A 6-month follow-up analysis

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to test the sustained impact of a 6-month diabetes management intervention in middle-aged and older adults with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodFifty-two individuals, over the age of 40 completed both baseline and 12-month follow-up assessments.ResultsAt 12 months, Diabetes Awareness and Rehabilitation Training (DART) participants experienced significantly greater improvement in body mass index, waist circumference and diabetes knowledge than did the Usual Care Plus Information (UCI) group. No improvements were found for A1C or energy expenditure.ConclusionsResults suggest that DART promotes lasting changes in health parameters that are maintained after treatment ends.