Prediabetes is a chronic condition that affects over 33% of US adults. Regular physical activity can reduce the conversion from prediabetes to diabetes. Recently, electronic wearable devices have gained popularity. However, the utility of motivational interviews (MI) in using those devices is questionable. We aim to present the development process of a culturally adopted MI to increase physical activity among an ethnic minority of Arabic-speaking residents of East Jerusalem with prediabetes to be used in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at increasing physical activity among prediabetes.
A literature review by graduate students found that concepts such as enjoyment of exercise and self-efficacy were positively associated with physical activity. Specific barriers to exercise in patients with prediabetes included perceived difficulty of engaging in exercise, failing to find enjoyable activity and feelings of tiredness. Accordingly, and while consulting with main stakeholders, a telephone-based MI was developed to identify patients’ stage of change, promote participants' autonomous motivation for behavior change and locate enjoyable activity.
The process resulted in a draft prototype of a standardized protocol, which included questionnaire and guided answers that was continuously tested and changed during four months of development. Under the supervision of a faculty member and a primary care physician working with the target population a standardized manual was developed. The protocol will be used in a future RCT.
The proposed MI protocol could support the future examination of these devices to help decrease the risk of development of T2DM in patients with prediabetes.