However , overall there did not appear to be a significant difference between individual education and usual care .
In the small number of studies comparing group and individual education , there was an equal impact on HbA1c at 12 to 18 months .
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes is a common and costly chronic disease which is associated with significant premature mortality and morbidity .
Although patient education is an integral component of diabetes care , there remain uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of different methods and modes of education .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of individual patient education  on metabolic control , diabetes knowledge and psychosocial outcomes .
Effects of a 12-month physical activity counselling intervention on glycaemic control and on the status of cardiovascular risk factors in people with Type 2 diabetes
Aims /hypothesisThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical activity counselling in promoting physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes and to evaluate result ant physiological and biochemical effects . Methods A total of 70 inactive people with Type 2 diabetes were given st and ard exercise information and r and omised to receive physical activity counselling ( n=35 , experimental ) or not ( n=35 , control ) . Physical activity consultations were delivered at baseline and after 6 months , with follow-up phone calls after 1 , 3 , 6 and 9 months . Changes from baseline after 6 and 12 months were assessed for physical activity ( 7-day recall and accelerometer ) , for physiological characteristics ( body mass index and blood pressure ) and for biochemical variables ( HbA1c , lipid profile , fibrinogen , tissue plasminogen activator and microalbuminuria ) . Results Significant differences between groups were recorded for physical activity after 6 and 12 months ( p<0.01 ) . The experimental group had increased levels of physical activity from baseline to 6 months ( p<0.01 ) , with no decrease from 6 to 12 months ( p>0.05 ) . In the control group , accelerometer counts per week decreased from baseline to 12 months ( p=0.03 ) . Between-group differences ( p<0.05 ) were recorded for the change in HbA1c ( experimental : 0.26 % decrease ; control : 0.15 % increase ) , for systolic blood pressure ( experimental : 7.7 mm Hg decrease ; control : 5.6 mm Hg increase ) and for fibrinogen ( experimental : 0.28 mmol/l decrease ; control : 1.43 mmol/l increase ) from baseline to 6 months , and for total cholesterol ( experimental : 0.33 mmol/l decrease ; control : 0.04 mmol/l increase ) from baseline to 12 months ( p<0.05 ) . No significant differences were recorded in other measured variables . Conclusions /interpretationsPhysical activity counselling was effective in promoting physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes . The counselling improved glycaemic control as well as the status of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients
However , overall there did not appear to be a significant difference between individual education and usual care .
In the small number of studies comparing group and individual education , there was an equal impact on HbA1c at 12 to 18 months .
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes is a common and costly chronic disease which is associated with significant premature mortality and morbidity .
Although patient education is an integral component of diabetes care , there remain uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of different methods and modes of education .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of individual patient education  on metabolic control , diabetes knowledge and psychosocial outcomes .