Does working memory training improve dietary self-care in type 2 diabetes mellitus? Results of a double blind randomised controlled trial

Whitelock, Victoria, Nouwen, Arie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0609-4082, Houben, Katrijn, van den Akker, Olga ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3529-4358, Rosenthal, Miranda and Higgs, Suzanne (2018) Does working memory training improve dietary self-care in type 2 diabetes mellitus? Results of a double blind randomised controlled trial. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 143 . pp. 204-214. ISSN 0168-8227 [Article] (doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2018.07.005)

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Abstract

Aims: Controlling food intake despite adequate knowledge remains a struggle for many people with type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated whether working memory training can reduce food intake and improve glycaemic control. It also examined training effects on cognition, food cravings, and dietary self-efficacy and self-care.
Methods: In a double-blind multicentre parallel-group randomised controlled trial, adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated to receive 25 sessions of either active (n = 45) or control (n = 36) working memory training. Assessments at baseline, post-training and 3-month follow-up measured cognition, food intake (primary outcomes), glycaemic control (HbA1c) and cholesterol (secondary outcomes). Semi-structured interviews assessed participants’ experiences of the training.
Results: Intention-to-treat ANOVAs (N = 81) showed improved non-trained updating ability in active compared to control training from pre-test (active M = 34.37, control M = 32.79) to post-test (active M = 31.35, control M = 33.53) and follow-up (active M = 31.81, control M = 32.65; g2 = 0.05). There were no overall effects of training on other measures of cognition, food intake, HbA1c, cholesterol, food cravings and dietary self-efficacy and self-care. In post-hoc analyses, those high in dietary restraint in the active training group showed a greater reduction in fat intake pre to post-test compared to controls. Interviews revealed issues around acceptability and performance of the training.
Conclusions: Transfer of working memory training effects to non-trained behaviour were limited, but do suggest that training may reduce fat intake in those who are already motivated to do so.
Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN22806944.

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