Discussion
The aim of the study to improve glycaemic control by the end of the 48-week period was not realized. Interestingly however, the hypothesis test indicated there was a statistically significant difference between the change in glycaemic control measured for the intervention and control groups. The results from mean HbA1c indicated that all patients had poorer control of their diabetes at the end of the study compared to baseline. The hypothesis test indicated patients who received the intervention had a significantly smaller increase in HbA1c levels by the end of the study than those who received the control. The statistical significance of this result adds another dimension to the overall negative result as follows: although both the intervention and control groups had poorer glycaemic control reflected by higher HbA1c levels compared to baseline, the increase in HbA1c measured at the end of the 48-week period was 0.57% less with the intervention compared to the control (p = 0.025).