Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a lifelong condition that has large societal, economic and clinical implications, and treatment should be supported by healthy lifestyle factors. Interventions for effective self-management are essential to the sustainability of treatment, however there is no standard approach. Research Design and Methods: Six hundred and five participants diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were recruited from four countries (UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium) to complete the 12-week DWELL (Diabetes and WELLbeing) psychoeducational intervention. The programme was delivered at community and hospital-based settings and comprised of four key areas: education, nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing. Metabolic health (weight, waist size, BMI and HbA1c) and self-reported psychological measures were taken at four points: pre- and post-intervention, and two follow up points (at 6 and 12 months) to assess the impact of the programme. Results: Participants showed a significant reduction in all metabolic health measures, with improvements in both weight and BMI being maintained at 6-month follow-up. Participation in the programme also led to enhanced levels of participant empowerment, with significant improvements also seen in perceptions of diabetes, eating behaviours, mental and physical health, and self-care behaviours.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The DWELL study was funded by the EU Interreg 2 Seas Mers Zeeen Programme 2014-2020 (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund).

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Health Research Authority/London Bridge Research Ethics Committee gave ethical approval for this work (REC reference: 17/LO/1480)

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