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This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate non-inferiority of Prolonged Exposure (PE) delivered via home-based telehealth (HBT) compared to standard in-person (IP) PE. One-hundred thirty two Veterans recruited from a Southeastern Veterans Affairs Medical Center and affiliated University who met criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were randomized to receive PE via HBT or PE via IP. Results indicated that PE-HBT was non-inferior to PE-IP in terms of reducing PTSD scores at post-treatment, 3 and 6 month follow-up. However, non-inferiority hypotheses for depression were only supported at 6 month follow-up. HBT has great potential to reduce patient burden associated with receiving treatment in terms of travel time, travel cost, lost work, and stigma without sacrificing efficacy. These findings indicate that telehealth treatment delivered directly into patients’ homes may dramatically increase the reach of this evidence-based therapy for PTSD without diminishing effectiveness.

Objective Diabetes fatalism is defined as “a complex psychological cycle characterized by perceptions of despair, hopelessness, and powerlessness” and associated with poor glycemic control. This study examined the association between diabetes fatalism and medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with diabetes. Methods Data on 378 subjects with type 2 diabetes recruited from two primary care clinics in the Southeastern United States were examined. Previously validated scales were used to measure diabetes fatalism, medication adherence, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care behaviors (diet, physical activity, blood sugar testing and foot care). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the independent effect of diabetes fatalism on medication adherence and self-care behaviors controlling for relevant covariates. Results Fatalism correlated significantly with medication adherence (r = 0.24, p<0.001), diet (r = −0.26, p<0.001), exercise (r = −0.20, p<0.001) and blood sugar testing (r = −0.19, p<0.001). In the linear regression model, diabetes fatalism was significantly associated with medication adherence (β= 0.029, 95% CI 0.016, 0.043); diabetes knowledge (β= −0.042, 95% CI −0.001, −0.084); diet (β= −0.063, 95% CI −0.039, −0.087), exercise (β= −0.055, 95% CI −0.028, −0.083), and blood sugar testing (β= −0.055, 95% CI −0.023, −0.087). There was no significant association between diabetes fatalism and foot care (β= −0.018, 95% CI −0.047, 0.011). The association between diabetes fatalism and medication adherence, diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-care behaviors did not change significantly when depression was added to the models, suggesting that the associations are independent of depression. Conclusion Diabetes fatalism is associated with poor medication adherence and self-care and may be an important target for education and skills interventions in diabetes care. In addition, the effect of diabetes fatalism is independent of depression, suggesting that interventions that target depression may not be sufficient to deal with diabetes fatalism.

Background: Evidence suggests that empowerment is an important factor to address everyday aspects of dealing with a chronic disease. This study evaluated the effect of diabetes empowerment on medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes. Subjects and Methods: Data on 378 subjects with type 2 diabetes recruited from two primary care clinics in the southeastern United States were examined. Previously validated scales were used to measure diabetes empowerment, medication adherence, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care behaviors (including diet, physical activity, blood sugar testing, and foot care). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the independent effect of diabetes empowerment on medication adherence and self-care behaviors controlling for relevant covariates. Results: Eighty-three percent were non-Hispanic blacks, 69% were women, 22% were 65 years or older, 68% were not married, 26% had less than high school education, 60% were unemployed, 39% were uninsured, and 47% had a yearly income < $10,000. Empowerment had significant correlations with medication adherence (r = 0.17, P < 0.003), diabetes knowledge (r = 0.16, P = 0.007), diet (r = 0.24, P < 0.001), exercise (r = 0.25, P < 0.001), blood sugar testing (r = 0.12, P = 0.043), and foot care (r = 0.18, P = 0.002). In the regression model, diabetes empowerment was significantly associated with medication adherence (b = -0.04, P = 0.001), diabetes knowledge (b = 0.09, P = 0.012), diet (b = 0.09, P < 0.001), exercise (b = 0.10, P < 0.001), blood sugar testing (b = 0.07, P = 0.016), and foot care (b = 0.08, P = 0.001). Conclusions: In this sample, diabetes empowerment was related to better diabetes knowledge, medication adherence and improved self-care behaviors. Emphasis on empowerment and self-efficacy is relevant to improve outcomes in the management of diabetes.