Programs that help people with diabetes to manage stress can help lower blood sugar levels and may eventually reduce the risk of medical complications such as kidney disease and blindness.

The report of 72 adults with type 2 diabetes found that those who participated in just 5 sessions of group stress management therapy reduced their long-term blood sugar (glucose) by an average of 0.5% -- equal to the effect seen with some drugs.

Nearly one third of patients who received stress management lowered their blood glucose levels by 1%, compared with 12% of diabetics who did not participate in the sessions.

According to the authors, reducing blood glucose by as little as 0.5% may translate into a lower risk of diabetes-related medical complications. Earlier studies had shown that intensive, one-on-one stress management sessions can help diabetics to control their blood sugar, and this study is the first to show that a group approach can work as well.

Patients with type 2 diabetes should be aware that stress can negatively impact on glucose control. They might want to try learning stress management either in a clinical setting or through a self-help approach.

The study included patients at least 30 years old who managed their diabetes through a combination of diet, exercise and oral medication. Individuals who were receiving therapy and those who had participated in other previous relaxation or stress management training were excluded.

The 38 patients in the stress management program learned muscle relaxation techniques and ways to recognize and reduce stress through deep breathing or guided imagery. Instructors encouraged participants to practice the techniques on their own at home and talked about the health consequences of stress.

After 1 year, patients who received stress management had lower glucose levels while those in the control group showed slightly higher blood glucose levels, report researchers.

Their study found no significant changes in diet and exercise habits, suggesting that these lifestyle factors did not contribute to the lower blood sugar levels seen in adults participating in stress management sessions.

Patients who were the most anxious before the study began did not benefit any more than those who were only mildly stressed, the study found.

Diabetes Care January 2002;25:30-34

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

A wonderful study that shows how powerful controlling stress can be. I am actually going to contact this researcher to see if I can interest him in incorporating EFT as part of his future study intervention group. EFT is not only one of the most effective stress elimination procedures on the planet, but it is also an incredibly powerful tool to help implement lifestyle goals like exercise that would enhance a diabetic program. The one problem with EFT is that it was developed and taught to practicing clinicians, not to scientists. As a result there is not much published in the scientific literature at this point, but I hope to contribute to that correction. In the meantime you don't have to wait to benefit from all that EFT offers as you can order videos of the workshop I did in late 2001 absolutely risk free as there is a no questions asked one year guarantee on the tapes. Through extensive research I have found another tool to use in the area of stress management that is a remarkably effective and efficient (and very affordable) way to help you achieve inner peace and significantly reduce stress and anxiety. The Insight audio CD, which I personally listen to and now recommend to my patients, is an exceptional tool to help you target the daily stresses in your life that act as prime contributors to all forms of diseases. Related Articles: Stress In Middle-Age Increases Diabetes Risk Stress Worsens Your Immune System