A Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Pure Prairie Living Program
Condition: Type2 Diabetes
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      In Canada, there is a growing burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Approaches to implement
      nutrition recommendations and promote sustainable eating behaviours are required. The
      investigating research team developed an educational curriculum that includes practical
      information about Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, portion control and food label
      reading. The research team also developed a cookbook, "Pure Prairie Eating Plan" which
      translates the Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines into a practical
      menu plan with recipes, grocery lists and cooking tips. These resources promote behaviour
      change and skill development to independently manage diabetes. These resources have been
      successfully employed in a clinical study trial conducted at the University of Alberta and in
      a pilot project at the community (Pure Prairie Living Program -PPLP), and showed beneficial
      effects in management of diabetes among participants. The objective of this study is to
      implement and evaluate the PPLP in a community level, to promote healthy lifestyle among
      people with T2D in the general community. To meet the study objective, 60 adult participants
      with diagnosed T2D will be recruited from three different primary care networks (total of 180
      participants) and at each site 30 participants will be randomized into the education
      intervention (PPLP) and 30 will be the wait-listed controls (CON) receiving usual care. PPLP
      participants will attend 5, biweekly education sessions and a grocery store tour scheduled
      over a period of 3 months.The benefits of the lifestyle intervention on physiological
      indicators (BMI, Haemoglobin A1C, blood lipids, blood pressure) and lifestyle choices
      (adherence to dietary recommendations, self-efficacy and participation in physical activity)
      will be examined.
    

Detailed description: 
      Overall Goal: To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention (LI)
      tailored to Albertans' environment called the Pure Prairie Living Program (PPLP) in primary
      care network (PCN) settings. The PPLP delivers innovation in the concept (based on the 4-A
      Framework), the setting (PCNs) and nutrition evaluation tools (for Dietary Adherence - PDAQ).

      Background: In Canada, there is a growing burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D). One in four
      Canadians has diabetes or pre-diabetes and this number is projected to be 1 in 3 by 2020. The
      associated economic burden is estimated to be $16.9 billion in 2020.

      Adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent and also help effectively manage T2D. Several
      dietary LI in the recent decades have targeted achieving a healthy body weight, participation
      in physical activity, and healthy eating as primary goals of their intervention trials to
      delay the progression of the disease or to minimize co-morbidities associated with T2D.
      Although some of the programs have achieved success in improving health outcomes and delaying
      the risk of co-morbidities, sustaining long-term changes by the participants after completion
      of intervention trials is challenging.

      Many interventions attempt to personalize treatment based on an individual's preferences and
      circumstances but fewer consider individual factors within a broader framework of health
      determinants that includes local food Availability, financially/physically Accessibility,
      culturally Acceptability and nutritionally Adequacy (4A Framework). Failure to achieve
      long-term adherence may be influenced by these social and environmental health determinants.
      Further, Healthcare Professionals (HCP) are designated with the primary responsibility of
      educating patients to prevent, treat and manage chronic diseases. However HCPs often lack the
      training, skills, confidence, and time required to implement effective LI and primary care
      delivery models often lack the required structure and organization for such LI. Few studies
      consider the health care system-level changes that are required to offer sustainable, high
      quality LI or programs. Hence to achieve sustained adoption and maintenance of the effects of
      a LI at a system level requires careful planning (considering the barriers for change,
      ongoing support to personnel and participants, adopting a framework for behaviour change,
      improving self-efficacy), implementation and evaluation of the interventions.

      In Alberta, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were implemented to provide citizens access to a
      multi-disciplinary care team of clinicians, including dietitians. One of the goals of PCNs is
      to increase the emphasis on health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and care of
      patients with complex problems or chronic disease. Therefore, the PCN setting is ideal for
      implementation of LI. The investigators will use the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption,
      Implementation and Maintenance) framework in planning and evaluating the PPLP.

      Previous Work by the Research Team: The investigating research team (1) created and validated
      a simple, practical instrument for assessing dietary adherence to Canadian Diabetes
      Association (CDA) guidelines called Perceived Dietary Adherence Questionnaire (PDAQ). 2)
      created and published a 4-week menu plan and recipe book (Pure Prairie Eating Plan, PPEP) to
      promote healthy eating in the general population and in those with diabetes
      (www.pureprairie.ca). The menus provide 28 days of suggestions for meeting recommendations of
      Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (EWCFG) and CDA nutrition therapy guidelines and
      incorporate the principles of the 4-A Framework; 3)Pilot tested the menu plan/recipes in 15
      participants with T2D and observed a 1.0% reduction in haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (p<0.05) after
      3 months, along with significant reduction in weight and increase in PDAQ score; 4) In a
      research setting conducted a single-arm phase 2 trial with 73 volunteer participants with
      T2D. HbA1c was reduced by 0.7% (p<0.05). Improvements in PDAQ score, serum lipids, blood
      pressure and self-efficacy were also observed. 5) Based on the successful phase 2 trial, the
      investigators collaborated with the Southside PCN in Edmonton to pilot an education program
      centered around PPEP in a patient population. At the system level to ensure suitability of
      the program, PCN and research personnel refined the education program incorporating
      information and resources that the PCN was using in existing programming while highlighting
      the key messages of the education program developed from the phase 2 trial. The program was
      called PPLP and was piloted in 26 individuals. At an individual level, preliminary results
      from 17 participants show significantly increased PDAQ score and diabetes self-efficacy along
      with weight loss.

      Specific Objectives: (1) To evaluate the efficacy of PPLP in promoting better nutrition
      choices (as recommended by EWCFG and CDA Nutrition Therapy Guidelines), improved diabetes
      self-efficacy, participation in physical activity and improved health outcomes (improved
      glucose control, lipid panel and blood pressure); (2) To describe the perceived strengths,
      limitations, effectiveness and satisfaction of the PPLP by HCP and study participants.

      Methods:

      Study Design: This is a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) of two arms [intervention (PPLP)
      and wait-listed controls (CON)]. Evaluation will utilize the RE-AIM Framework using mixed
      methods.

      Study Sites: Study will be implemented at 3 PCNs in Edmonton. Site personnel will be
      co-investigators in the research to facilitate maximal buy-in and integrated knowledge
      translation (KT). Prior to implementation of the study, the research personnel will offer
      support to PCN team to develop site specific PPLP protocol and provide necessary training.

      Sample Size and Recruitment: A convenience sampling procedure will be employed to recruit
      study participants through advertisement and posters at the participating PCNs. Investigators
      aim to recruit a total of 180 participants, 60 participants from each site (30 participants
      in each RCT arm). Inclusion criteria are: adults (aged 30-80 years) with T2D and able to read
      and write in English. Exclusion criteria are: having severe gastrointestinal issues or
      diabetes complications requiring specialized diet or type 1 diabetes.

      Procedure

      Objective 1) To evaluate the efficacy of PPLP: This intervention study will span 6 months
      from recruitment to the final participant visit. Details of each visit are as follows:

        1. Baseline Assessment (Clinic Visit 1): Weight and height will be measured to calculate
           body mass index (BMI). Body composition will be assessed using Bio-impedance analyser.
           Questionnaires to assess demographic information, diabetes management, diabetes
           self-efficacy, dietary intake pattern (PDAQ), quality of life and physical activity will
           be completed by participants. Blood pressure (BP) will be assessed and blood sampled for
           Hb A1C and lipid profile tests. Physical activity will be quantitatively assessed by
           using pedometers for 3 days. All the data will be collected by a Registered
           nurse/Dietitian at the PCN. Patients will then be randomized to PPLP or CON groups who
           will receive usual care prior to enrolment in the intervention.

        2. Implementation of the Intervention (Clinic Visit 2-7): PPLP participants will attend and
           participate in 5, biweekly nutrition and physical activity education sessions (~ 90 min
           each) that will be conducted at the PCNs' facilities and facilitated by the PCN
           dietitian. Participants will also be taken for a grocery store tour.

        3. 3 Month Assessment (Visit 8): All PPLP and CON participants will visit the PCN, and
           complete all the questionnaires, blood tests and measurements that were done at Visit 1.

        4. Follow-up: All participants will be contacted via phone follow-up on 2 occasions (once a
           month) to answer any questions related to nutrition and physical activity.

        5. 6 Month Assessment (Clinic Visit 9): All PPLP and CON participants will return to the
           PCN for the final study visit, which will collect the same measures as Visit 8.
           Wait-list controls will then be offered the PPLP (Intervention, 3 month Assessment,
           Follow-up and 6 Month Assessment).

        6. Chart review: Participant health care records will be accessed to obtain information on
           HgA1C and lipid panel tests done during the period of study (Baseline to 6 month
           assessment).

      Data Entry and Analysis: Changes (pre to post-intervention) in dietary adherence, diabetes
      self-efficacy, quality of life, weight, BMI, Body composition, BP, HgA1C, high density
      lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol will be
      assessed and compared within and between PPLP and CON groups. Patient feedback of
      health/behaviour outcomes will be provided at the end of the study.

      Objective 2) Qualitative study to assess strengths, limitations and satisfaction with
      approach:

      At the 3 month clinic visit, the participants from the PPLP group will participate in a focus
      group discussion to understand adoption of information gained during intervention and to
      evaluate the barriers/facilitators to adoption. The investigators will also collect copies of
      the workbooks from participants for process evaluation, to understand factors influencing
      program retention, success in meeting goals etc. The HCP will participate in a one-on-one
      interview sessions at this period. Questions will focus on core RE-AIM domains. Responses
      will help understand adoption of the program at a system level, implementation relative to
      efficacy and economic constraints, suggestions for improvement and maintenance of PPLP.

      Potential Outcomes and Impact of the Proposed Research:

      This study will provide important information about the efficacy and suitability of the PPLP
      for a PCN-based implementation to manage T2D in people from Alberta. The investigators
      hypothesize that PPLP participants will have improved nutrition and physical activity-related
      knowledge and skills to manage T2D resulting in better health. Results from this study will
      inform the success of the program at an individual and system level. This can be used as
      evidence to justify further scale and spread of the LI to other PCNs and through programs
      offered by the Alberta Health Services. Furthermore, PPLP being based on 4-A Framework is
      adaptable, using PPLP as a template; other jurisdictions may be supported to develop similar
      programming adapted to their local environment. The PI is currently Scientific Director of
      the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network of Alberta Health Services
      (AHS), part of whose mission is to advance evidence-based interventions into care. KT
      materials, in the form of written, oral and e-briefs will be provided regularly to each PCN
      site and AHS, to provide early evidence of outcomes in each of the RE-AIM domains. PCN
      personnel from both sites will share their experiences and learn from each other through
      ongoing e-meetings. Widespread access to all the tools developed will be made through
      electronic means (PPEP website), and patient-oriented dissemination through CDA, Alberta
      Diabetes Institute and other venues
    

Intervention name(s): Pure Prairie Living Program
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Education session (n=5) on healthy eating, menu planning and skill building for effective diabetes management
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: This is a randomized, controlled trial of two arms [intervention (PPLP) and wait-listed controls (CON)]. Baseline data will be collected from all participants. PPLP participants will then receive 5 educational session on healthy eating, behaviour change and lifestyle in addition to usual care, whereas the controls will only receive usual care (no education intervention). Data for primary outcomes will be collected at 3 and 6 month period (from baseline). After the 6 month assessment all participants from the Control group will then recieve intervention and will complete the 3 and 6 month assessments.
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary purpose: Other