Impact Of A Thai Holistic Well-Being Program In Medical Outcomes In Type 2 Diabetes: A Community-Based Trial

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Thai Holistic Well-Being Program (THWP) in improving medical outcomes among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in a community setting. With the rising prevalence of T2DM in Thailand, integrating traditional practices into conventional care may offer additional benefits. This study assessed whether a culturally relevant, holistic intervention could enhance health outcomes.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 T2DM patients at a community health-promoting hospital in Samutprakarn province, Thailand. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 35). The 7-day intervention focused on lifestyle modifications including Ruesi DatTon (Thai physical activity), meditation, dietary adjustments, self-massage, outdoor walking for vitamin D, group sharing, and self-care workshops. Follow-up involved 12 weeks of monitoring through in-person meetings and digital platforms.

Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in key medical parameters compared to the control group: HbA1c (-0.8%, p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (-20.5 mg/dL, p < 0.01), cortisol (-2.5 μg/dL, p < 0.05), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (+5.2 ng/mL, p < 0.01), and BMI (-0.6 kg/m², p < 0.05). These findings highlight the positive impact of the THWP on both metabolic and physical health.

Conclusion: The THWP demonstrated significant improvements in medical outcomes among T2DM patients. This culturally tailored holistic program may be a valuable addition to diabetes management in community settings and has potential for wider application in clinical practice.