Stories for Change Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Digital Storytelling Workshop Intervention for Hispanic/Latino with Type 2 Diabetes
Contemporary Clinical Trials Jan 2023
To address the high rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Hispanic/Latino adults, RHCP and its partners developed a culturally tailored digital storytelling intervention called Stories for Change (S4C). This project used a randomized controlled trial to test whether personal stories shared through video could improve diabetes self-management. Participants were recruited from clinics in Minnesota and Arizona and randomly assigned to either view the 12-minute video or receive usual care. The video featured four storytellers discussing their experiences with diet, exercise, medication, and glucose monitoring. To reinforce the message, intervention participants received monthly text prompts and were encouraged to share the video with family and friends.
The trial enrolled 451 participants, most of whom were women with an average age of 53 and HbA1c levels above 9%. Both groups received diabetes education materials, but only the intervention group viewed the video and engaged in follow-up activities. Early findings showed that participants connected with the storytellers and felt motivated to improve their health behaviors. The study measured outcomes like HbA1c levels, self-efficacy, social support, and healthcare utilization. While the full results are pending, the protocol offers a promising model for using storytelling to promote health equity and improve chronic disease management in underserved communities.